Laléna ( #BOTB )

       

          Right now I'm at a loss for anything to say.  So I guess I'll just get down to the business of this post--music.  Because it's time for another....  

Battle of the Bands

        Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and now hosted by StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens each month on the 15th and on some there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of those with a second Battle excepting over these summer months.   The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this                                                                                 post for more Battle action.

Lalena

       The song is about a prostitute, but it's a tragic sad song about a woman who is essentially a victim of circumstance.  It's an achingly beautiful song which has been recorded numerous times over the years since it was first released by its composer Donovan Leitch.  I didn't want to pit the original version against any other since it is so good.  Likewise is the case for my favorite cover version of the song by Deep Purple.

       Instead I've opted to use two other versions that I also like a great deal by artists who I also like.  It's probably more about the excellence of the song itself. Any competent artist would probably make this song sound good.  See what you think about the following artists...


Trini Lopez    "Lalena" (1969)

        I was introduced to the music of Trini Lopez when I was still in elementary school by my fourth grade teacher Ms. Kingston who was responsible for introducing me to so much wonderful music.  Later, after Trini's release of his hit "Lemon Tree", we used to sing the song in our middle school choir.  Sadly Trini Lopez died last year at age 83 after complications of COVID.   Here is his version of Donavan's song...

Jane Olivor  "Lalena"  (1977)

            In the mid-eighties when I was touring extensively, I was visiting my cousin's friends on Bainbridge Island in Washington state, and while perusing their collection of cassette tapes noted a few by Jane Olivor, an artist of whom I had never heard.  Later I saw the same looking cassettes in a music store cut out bin. They were inexpensive and the song selections were nice.  I went ahead and bought each different album.   The albums are very relaxing, but that's her style. Like this...






Time to Vote!
        
          Hey! I'm running out of blogging steam.  Give me a recharge.  Please join in and play along in this Battle of the Bands.  I hope you'll at least give the versions a listen to discern your favorite.   Which version do you prefer?   Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind.  You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.

        Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.


Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 



Winner of this Battle Announced on Friday May 21 

         I guess a lot of folks look in on my results post and just don't comment.  I feel like it's just something I have to do.  And who knows...maybe I'll think of something I want to say.