This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

I Just Want to Make Love to You ( #BOTB )

         Did you love your Valentine's Day?  Basically another day for me, but I haven't been big on Valentine's Day since I was a kid when we'd exchange those little cards professing love for other kids that maybe we didn't like so much or they didn't care about us.  Hallmark:  Bringing people together with paper..

         Now that we're done with Super Bowl and Valentine's Day we can move on to other exciting things like war.  The Russians are coming!  Then the Chinese!   Let's get ready to rumble on a worldwide scale.

        But back to love.  Most of us love music--or at least tolerate it.  If we're going to have a Battle then let's have a...


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.


I Just Want to Make Love to You

        Here's a song that has been recorded many times by many artists since it first debuted in 1954 in a classic recording by Muddy Waters.  The song was written by blues legend Willie Dixon.  Etta James included her version on her debut album At Last! which was released in 1960 and later had a hit when it was re-released in 1996.   Over the years the song has become a blues standard performed by many rock and blues artists.

        The first time I can recall hearing a version of the song was somewhere around 1970 when I heard it coming from a small FM station in Lenoir City Tennessee.  That version by Cold Blood immediately captured my attention with the Blood Sweat & Tears big band horn sound and the powerful vocals of Linda Pense.  Oddly, as much as I liked the sound of Cold Blood, I never acquired a copy of their debut album or any others.  However, that sound of "I Just Want to Make Love to You" has stuck with me through the years.  Kind of odd since that was the only time I think I heard the song until YouTube came along so I could hear it again.  It still holds up for me.

        A few later Foghat rocked us with their driving up tempo version of the song.  Though once again this was not an album that I ever bought at the time, it was a song and an album that I heard often because just about everyone I knew seemed to have this album.  So I know this version well.  It rocks!

        This Battle has been brewing in my line-up for years now.  It's among the earliest Battles that I came up with and now, just in time for a Valentine's face off, here are the versions by Cold Blood and Foghat.   Take a listen.  Hope you enjoy...

Cold Blood "I Just Want to Make Love to You"  (1969)






Foghat "I Just Want to Make Love to You"  (1972)







Time to Vote!
        
        Hope you liked this Battle--or even loved it.  Now it's time to show your love.   Which artist do you enjoy the most?   Of the two song versions, which do you like better?  I hope you'll at least give the versions a listen to discern your favorite.    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 Tuesday February 22nd

         I'm getting ready for another Blogging from A to Z April Challenge and hoping I can get my posts prepared ahead of time so I'm working on those.  Still, I'll take time to report the outcome of this bluesy rock Battle.  Hope you'll stop back then!






20 comments:

  1. Lee,

    I finally started pulling together ideas for my A2Z theme but I'm now not so sure about it. I may go another direction. My heart really isn't into it this year as I've felt in past years but I know if I don't do it then I'll be upset with myself. I guess once I'm fully vested to the challenge then all will be okay.

    Now for your battle at hand. I'm a bit surprised honestly that I do not know this song. Cold Blood didn't strike me right this morning. Maybe, it has something to do with this horrible headache I have but FOGHAT instantly resinated with my ears and getting my vote. I preferred everything about the song over the previous recording.

    Join me when you can for my Dream Lover BOTB Showdown, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cathy, I sure you'll be more in A to Z mode as April approaches. I always have a difficult time getting into gear for the Challenge, but I've always managed to squeak through.

      This song is one that is oft covered, but not often heard, so no surprise you don't recall hearing it. Prior to considering it for this Battle I don't know if I'd heard it since the early seventies.

      Hope your headache passes okay.

      First vote goes to Foghat.

      Lee

      Delete
    2. Lee,

      I hope you're right about the A2Z challenge. In the past I struggled but this is different. I'm not ready to throw in the towel. I figure something out! Thanks for the encouragement, my friend.

      Delete
  2. Not a Foghat fan, but their version does rock, so gets my vote.
    Things are about to get interesting in the world, aren't they?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex, Foghat was a huge act for a while in the early seventies. Then they basically faded away. Now they still tour the casino and oldies circuit. Guess they still have their fans.

      I'm watching the events unfold. Don't know where this current thing will go, but I know where things eventually are going.

      Another vote for Foghat.

      Lee

      Delete
  3. Haven't heard Lydia Pense in some time. I like her version better. Is she backed by Tower of Power here?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John H, a portion of Cold Blood played with Tower of Power at times. They have a pretty similar sound.

      A vote for Cold Blood.

      Lee

      Delete
  4. Puddin'(I like to call him that) really knows how to poke the bear doesn't he? It is a scary time indeed but Russia can't get away with taking the Ukraine. I am very uneasy about the whole situation. He is a very nasty, calculating old KGB man. Onto a lighter note, Both are great. I love the gal's voice very much but I think I will go with Foghat who reminded me of the old time rock and roll of the late 60s and early 70s.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Birgit, I don't have a dog (or a bear) in that Ukraine fight so I'm not particularly concerned. If a war diverts us from COVID then I'm okay with that. All the world leaders are pretty crazy as far as I'm concerned.

      Old time rock and roll it is...

      A vote for Foghat.

      Lee

      Delete
  5. Musically I liked Cold Blood pretty well, but the singer kind of ruined it for me.

    I'll go with HOGFAT.

    Lee, I've actually had this song on my own 'To BOTB Someday' list for the longest time, but I think I'll continue to ignore it, now that it's finally been done.

    ~ D-FensDogG

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    Replies
    1. STMcC, a lot of good covers of the song can still be used so you could still do it.

      A vote for Foghat.

      Lee

      Delete
  6. A good friend of mine LOVES Foghat... it is his favorite band and always has been. I don't understand that. It's a decent band, but your FAV?

    I am going to vote for Foghat. I'd change the lyrics, however, if I were singing the song. "I want you to, cook my bread; I want you to, make my bed; I want all your money, too; and I wanna make love to you."

    Sixgun McItchyfinger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 6-Gun, Foghat is a good band, but like you I can't see them being named as an all-time favorite. So many other great bands from which to choose!

      A vote for Foghat.

      Lee

      Delete
  7. Hallmark: Bringing people together with paper.. That says it well. I'm not a fan of fake retail holidays either. ☺ As for your battle, I like both version, but Foghat gives it a stronger rock vibe. Please give my vote to them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debbie D, I can understand companies wanting to come up with more money-making ideas, but I don't care about giving them any of my limited resources.

      A vote for Foghat.

      Lee

      Delete
  8. Lydia Pense (and I assume, Cold Blood) is/are still performing. She is now 75 years young. They put for a spirited rendition here, but my preference is Foghat. This is one of the few tracks played on "classic rock fm" that I still enjoy.

    Vote : Foghat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael, I admire those rockers who survived and are still at it.

      A vote for Foghat.

      Lee

      Delete
  9. Man, those horns make it hard to vote for Foghat... but I will anyway.

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    Replies
    1. CW, the horns are pretty great.

      A vote for Foghat.

      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