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Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Under Paris Skies (#BOTB & #IWSG )


        Another Blogging from A to Z is behind us and now to get back to regular programming.  Today we have a two-fer that is pretty much what I regularly do here each month...




 The Insecure Writer's Support Group


Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog
     The co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine.




May 1 question - How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

       Distractions don't turn my life into a total train wreck, but they often "derail" me onto a sidetrack that I hadn't planned on going down.  And if those sidetracks don't find me then I'll sometimes look for them.

        I've often had a problem with focus. There's always something for me to do that seems more fun, more interesting, or more useful than what I started out to do.  That especially applies to writing.  I may want to write, but it seems like a necessary chore comes up or someone calls on the phone or I just feel the need to do something, anything other than the writing that I thought I needed to do.  

        I guess I should write more than I do, but then again...

        Time for another distraction I think...

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.


Under Paris Skies

       In November of 2015 my wife and I took a week-end respite to link up with one of our daughters and her family in Las Vegas.  For them it was due to business, while for us it was just something to do--a distraction from everyday routine.

       As we would typically do on a Las Vegas visit, we spent hours strolling through the casinos, playing an occasional slot or snacking or just looking.  One of our favorite casinos for strolling is The Venetian which for its theme has canals with singing gondoliers taking folks through the maze of waterways that meander through recreated Venice style streets.  There are jewelry shops and gelato stands.  One can dine on fancy Italian fare or grab fast food in the food court.  If you just stayed in this casino alone you might lose track of time because the fake sky is always daylight. The Venetian like most other casinos is a fantasyland of escapism.

      At one point during our visit, I was distracted by a musical ensemble playing music that was reminiscent of what one might hear in Italy.  What especially caught my ear was a song that I had grown up hearing on the radio and in my parents' record collection.  What was the song?  I was so puzzled by wondering the name of this familiar tune that I was compelled to go up to the edge of the stage when they had finished and ask the violinist what they had just played.  He told me that the song was "Under Paris Skies" which I would have never guessed.  

     But now I know the name of this song and present it in Battle format with one singer I've heard throughout my life, Jane Morgan, and a singer I'd never heard of before, Nicki Parrott.  I'm going to pick my own favorite later on, but for now I invite you to listen for yourself and tell us which version you like best.       



Jane Morgan  "Under Paris Skies"   ( 1964 )





Nicki Parrott  "Under Paris Skies"  ( 2013 )








Time to Vote!

         Try not to get distracted before you vote.  Take a moment to listen to each version.  Then tell us which song version do you like best? 
  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

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 







Results on Wednesday May 8
 
       I'll try not to get too distracted so I can post the results.  I know you will all be waiting anxiously to hear which song came out with the most votes.














33 comments:

  1. You're retired - do what you want!
    Not my type of music but I'll go with Nicki's version.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex, I'm retired, yes, but sometimes you can't always get want you want.

      I know it's not your type of music. I like all kinds of music.

      First vote goes to Nicki Parrott.

      Lee

      Delete
  2. I think Nicki's voice is pretty. It has that soft, near whisper quality that I enjoy. Please give her my vote. Congrats on finishing another A2Z challenge. Have a bandtastic day, Lee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cathy, both artists have nice voices.

      Another vote for Nicki Parrott.

      Lee

      Delete
  3. Congratulations on another A to Z!
    I knew this song but not by name. There are things to recommend each version, but I think I like the French section of the original just enough to give it the vote this time: Jane Morgan.

    Sixgun McItchyfinger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 6-Gun, there are a lot of songs that I've heard all my life that I couldn't tell you what they are called.

      A vote for Jane Morgan.

      Lee

      Delete
  4. Hi, Arlee! I trick myself into writing by committing to writing for 10 minutes a day. I can do anything for ten minutes, even if I don't want to.. But it's a rare day that I stop at 10 minutes. I'm voting for Nikki's version of the song, although Jane's was far more interesting to watch ~ lol! Have a good one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Blue, I probably should set up some kind of schedule for myself. Ten minutes is not bad and you can actually get a lot done in that time if you really apply yourself.

      A vote for Nicki Parrott.

      Lee

      Delete
  5. Congratulations on another April AtoZ! I'm always in awe of those who make it through the alphabet.
    https://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/p/writer-derailed

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. C.Lee, well, you have your own accomplishments that I admire you for. Thanks for stopping by.

      Lee

      Delete
  6. I really liked Jane Morgan doing this. Her voice was clear and (from what I could tell, since I don't speak the language) her French sounded perfect. Nicki Parrott is very good and I'll be sure and check out some more by her, but this round belonged to Jane Morgan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John H, I've liked Jane Morgan since I was a kid. She was a classy singer. Yes, the French sounded pretty good to my ears too.

      A vote for Jane Morgan

      Lee

      Delete
  7. I'm too easily distracted, for sure. I try to keep on track with various things, the best of which is an Accountability group.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca, I need an accountability group perhaps. Not sure where to find one. If I stay accountable to my wife then at least that helps keep the peace in the household.

      Lee

      Delete
  8. Congratulations on AtoZ, Lee!
    Before now I'd have said I'd never heard this song before, but Nikki's version of it made me sure I have - she gets my vote!
    Love how you tied the song in with the IWSG prompt ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diedre, this sound is an EZ listening standard I guess so it's likely you've heard it and barely paid attention to it. I used to hear it a lot on the radio when there was a station that played this kind of music.

      A vote for Nicki Parrott</b

      Lee

      Delete
  9. I like Nikii's version. The accordions are very Parisian and her voice is smooth. (Although I do like the violins in Jane's version.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sherry, violins are usually a big plus for me. I love hearing an orchestra. But the accordion is a nice touch too.

      A vote for Nicki Parrott.

      Lee

      Delete
  10. VOTE = Nicki Parrott

    When I first started listening to Nicki's version, I thought I'd probably go with Jane's version; but as I continued to listen, I grew to appreciate strongly the style of Nicki's version - especially the accordion. ~Ed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ed, there is some excellent instrumental work in Nicki's version. It really draws me in.

      A vote for Nicki Parrott

      Lee

      Delete
  11. I am going all for Jane Morgan and her beautiful rendition of this song. She has a great voice. You can do whatever you wish to do as long as you have the money for it:)). I never had a desire to go to Vegas...maybe one day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Birgit, lack of money is what holds me back from doing a lot of what I'd like to do. We used to enjoy going to Vegas. It was really inexpensive back then. Now it's another big money sucking rip-off. Last time we went was last October and we all pretty much hated the experience.

      A vote for Jane Morgan

      Lee

      Delete
  12. The Vegas theme hotels are all interesting and we enjoyed our visit there as well. Paris and New York equal The Venetian for outdoor vistas indoors. ☺ I remember this song from way back. Both versions were good, but I preferred Nicki Parrott's vocals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debbie D, no doubt that Vegas has some spectacular things to see and do. It's just gotten too expensive. And it's easier just to stay home. I do love absorbing the magic of the casino decor though.

      A vote for Nicki Parrott.

      Lee

      Delete
  13. My Cousin Tom on Facebook cast his vote for...

    Nicki Parrott

    Lee

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nicki had the smoother, more pleasant voice. My vote there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CW, get it, got it!

      A vote for Nicki Parrott.

      Lee

      Delete
  15. BOIDMAN ~

    I'm going to parrot what the majority of previous voters have said: I'm voting for Nicki Parrott.

    The Jane Morgan version did nut'n for me, and pretty much typifies the reason most of the classic "crooners" have never appealed to me. Nicki's version was so much more lively & genuinely romantic-sounding to mine ears; listening to it, I never felt in danger of falling asleep where I sat.

    I enjoy a very vast amount of different types of music but, in general - and with only rare exceptions - the old "crooning" style has always left me yawning.

    ~ D-FensDogG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. STMcC, Jane Morgan is like a comfortable fixture from my past. Hearing her makes me smile, but I get what you're saying.

      Another vote for NIcki Parrott.

      Lee

      Delete
  16. I hope your writing is a bullet train on the tracks, Arlee!

    I vote for Jane's version because I love the twirling, and I wasn't fond of the heavy use of the accordion in the other song.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer, for now this train has run out of steam. I'll be back, but maybe not on the same track.

      Twirling can be fun to do or watch.

      A vote for Jane Morgan.

      Lee

      Delete
  17. Losing focus. Lost to sidetracks. Yes, they catch me often. As for voting, Lee, I agree. Parrott is the one. All the best to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Victoria, I guess many of us follow the diversions for a while. Makes life interesting and often more fun!

      Another vote for Nicki Parrott.

      Lee

      Delete

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.
I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

Lee