Tears of Rage (BOTB)

    Testing 1, 2, 3...can you hear me?   Or that is, can you see me?  I kept getting messages about changing something on my blog and I didn't do it.  At least I don't know what I did.  Does Google really think I can figure these things out even with all of their tutorials etc?  Maybe I'm here or maybe I'm not.  Either way I'm still doing this Battle of the Bands segment.

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.

Tears of Rage

      The song was written by Bob Dylan and Richard Manuel (of The Band) and first recorded by Dylan in a so-so version (you can listen to it here, but I'm not impressed by it).  The absolute best version was the one released by The Band on their debut album in 1968.  I received that album for Christmas in 1968 and from the first cut on the album (the song of this Battle) I was blown away.  For me and many others this album remains one of the best albums of all time.  It was unlike anything I had heard up until then   If you are interested in hearing this version you can find it here.  The focus of this Battle is a couple of other decent covers.  Listen to see which you like best.

Gene Clark  "Tears of Rage"  (1971)

     Though he put out several solo albums and collaborations with other artists, Gene Clark is best known as one of the founding members of The Byrds.  His version of "Tears of Rage" comes from his 1971 solo album.




Ian & Sylvia  "Tears of Rage"  (1968)

      Sounding like they're at a Hootenanny comes this Canadian duo who were popular on the Folk scene in the sixties.  Nice male/female harmonizing, but is it as good as Gene Clark's version?  You listen and then decide...

Time to Vote!

          I won't be crying tears of rage if you don't vote, but I'd appreciate it if you would participate.  Just listen and see what you think.  Which song 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. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites.


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 

Landmark Sounds (Diedre Knight)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS BY DEBBIE D

Speaking of Voting

     Maybe some of you noticed that I didn't post my previous results.  I didn't forget.  I just didn't feel very motivated to post a results post.  Thank you Six Gun for checking up on me with your thoughtful email.  I'm fine.  It's just a blogging ennui that comes partly from summer I guess.

       So how did my previous Battle turn out (for those few who voted)?  That Battle was two versions of the 13th Floor Elevators' song "Dust" which I think is an outstanding song but voters did not seem to agree.  I will say that this song was long one of my least favorites from their Easter Everywhere album but recent repeated listenings and reading about the song gave me a greater appreciation for it.   Now it is one of my favorite songs of any artist.

       I like both covers a great deal so it was not a slam dunk for me,  I like the clarity of presentation and faithfulness to the spirit of the Elevators that the Tommy Hall Schedule showed.  And as an Elevator tribute band they get special acclamation from me.  However I love the production of the Misty Lane version.  They provide an ethereal psychedelic experience with their version that puts me in mind of other groups that I enjoy such as Mercury Rev and My Morning Jacket.  Very trippy fun.  My vote goes to Misty Lane.

       Actually the outcome of this contest was not too bad..

Final Vote Tally

Tommy Hall Schedule         5 votes 

Misty Lane                           4 votes

Next BOTB Results Post Coming

        I'll likely post the results around Monday July 10 or something like that.  I'll see how I feel about it.