In my most recent posts I requested that my readers check out the YouTube page of my granddaughter Marley Lego. I was trying to help her reach 100 subscribers and she's almost there (94 as of writing this post). I know she'll get there, but I'd like to see her start on her next 100.
If you haven't subscribed to her channel yet then it would be nice if you would support this young artist who at age 13 is showing a lot of musical ambition. She's been playing and singing now for several years and I think she shows a lot of potential in her talents as well as her persona as an entertainer.
If you want to do something nice then subscribe to Marley's channel (it's free to subscribe). And if you already did, you didn't have to be so nice but Marley appreciates the support.
And that sounds like a cue for my next...
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.
Battle of the Bands
This song was first released in 1965 by the group The Lovin' Spoonful. It reached number 10 on the Billboard chart and was subsequently covered by a number of artists. Here are a couple of the more well known covers...
Amy Grant & Kevin Costner "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice" (1997)
Amy Grant & Kevin Costner "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice" (1997)
From the soundtrack of the dystopian movie The Postman comes a version of the Spoonful song as performed by Christian singer Amy Grant and the star of the film Kevin Costner...
Astrud Gilberto "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" (1966)
Astrud Gilberto "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" (1966)
You might remember Astrud as the singer of the sixties hit "Girl from Ipanema" which she recorded with Stan Getz. Here she pairs up with her young son to sing her sugar sweet version of "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice". ..
Time to Vote!
Hope you'll be nice and 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 October 8th
Hope you'll be nice and 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 October 8th
On Wednesday October 6th I'll be posting my entry for Insecure Writer's Support Group. Do stop in for that one. Then I'll have my results post a couple days later. Have a great weekend!
Second one was a cute idea, but I definitely prefer Amy Grant's version. Kevin Costner really singing? Impressive.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I was surprised when I saw the song was sung by Costner.
DeleteFirst vote goes to...
Costner/Grant.
Lee
Sorry, but I have to go with the second because, showing my bias here, I really loathe Kevin Costner as an actor. I'm sure he's a great person, but personally, hard pass as an actor or anything else entertainment related.
ReplyDeleteGB, I've liked a lot of Costner's films, but don't have a major opinion about him.
DeleteA vote for Astrud Gilberto.
Lee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI hope your granddaughter reaches 100 subscribers soon. And, if y'all have done it, then help the little lady out! Have you forgotten how wonderful it felt to get your first 100 subscribers?
Okay, first off I had no clue Kevin Costner could sing. What a surprise but then I'm usually am when I learn a big celebrity has a singing voice. Second, Amy & Kevin's version didn't click. I couldn't figure out the song until I listen to contender #2 which registered immediately. Very cute rendition, too. But, I think Amy & Kevin's is the show stopper with a bit more originality alone with the gentle contemporary pop vibe. My vote goes to Amy Grant & Kevin Costner. Very cool showdown! :) Check out my BOTB when you have the time, my friend. Have a funtastic Friday!
Cathy, Marley's getting closer--98 subscribers right now!
DeleteAnother vote for...
Costner/Grant.
Lee
From my Cousin Tom on Facebook comes a vote for...
ReplyDeleteAstrud Gilberto.
Lee
BOIDMAN ~
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad that Marley didn't hit 100 followers by her birthday but, hey, you tried and that was... NICE of you!
Interesting match-up with this nice old song. I always liked it.
I remember the first time I saw 'The Postman', I thought it was a good movie. The second time I saw it, several years later, I thought: What the hell was I thinking the first time I saw this?! (It must've been the booze... or something.) Way too long and ultimately a pretty stupid movie. Funny, I don't even remember this song being used in it. Maybe it should have been a trio - Amy Grant, Kevin Costner, and Tom Petty (who was also in 'The Postman').
Anyway, onto the show...
I thought the Grant / Costner recording was... "nice". But it was way too slow for my tastes.
Aside from the fact that Astrud Gilberto is one of my very, very favorite singers ever, there was a time when I might have thought her version, with her son, was just too saccharine sweet for me. But not anymore. Not in 2021!! What I think now, in this evil, wicked time is that we need MORE songs like 'You Didn't Have To Be So Nice' by Astrud Gilberto and her son!
Yeah, that's what we need in 2021! -- fewer genders but more Astrud, more wine, and more chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, in that order!!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
STMcC, now Marley's past 100 so that's one goal reached.
DeleteWhen I rewatched The Postman a few years ago I still kind of liked it, but I do have an affinity for films of this type. This was when I added the song to my BOTB list. It was used in the credits so you might have missed it if you don't stay through credits.
I thought the saccharine sweetness of Astrud's version might hinder votes for her, but she's not doing too badly in this race.
A vote for Astrud Gilberto
Lee
Ditto what Stephen says. Costner needs to stick with baseball movies. Astrud & Son for me...
ReplyDeleteJohn, well, I still like Costner okay. Not gonna buy any of his music, but I don't buy anybody's music these days.
DeleteAstrud Gilberto.
Lee
Wow! Two for two in the surprise category! I didn't realize there was still a Costner movie I haven't seen - or that he also sings. Always liked the song, though truthfully, I'd forgotten all about it. Atrud's version is really sweet, but my vote goes to Amy and Kevin for suitability ;-)
ReplyDeleteDiedre, this is a song that we don't hear that much anymore. Lovin' Spoonful doesn't get the love anymore.
DeleteA vote for Costner/Grant.
Lee
A Facebook vote from my sister Joni for...
ReplyDeleteCostner/Grant.
Lee
What a surprise that Kevin Costner can sing! I quite enjoyed this duet with Amy Grant and prefer it, overall. I hope your granddaughter gets her 100 subscribers soon. Good luck to her!
ReplyDeleteDebbie D, Marley made her 100. Now onward to 1000.
DeleteAnother vote for Costner/Grant.
Lee
Astrud and Son hit the spot for me. They get my vote.
ReplyDeleteMary B, Such a sweet innocent sound. A spot we all need these days.
DeleteAstrud Gilberto.
Lee
I did sign up for your granddaughter's youtube page. She is quite good! This is not a favourite song but I am giving it to Amy Grant and Kevin Costner. I forgot he had his own band for a while(maybe still does??). That second one made all my teeth rot.
ReplyDeleteBirgit, thank you for your support of Marley's page. She's so committed to her music that I'd like to see her attain some level of success with it.
DeleteCostner does have his own band though it's not widely known perhaps. I saw where he has an upcoming concert event at a casino near me.
A vote for Costner/Grant.
Lee
Astrud Gilberto gets my vote on this one!
ReplyDeleteMike, you got it!
DeleteA vote for Astrud Gilberto.
Lee
I really debated on this one.... I'm gonna take Astrid and son, but not a convinced vote.
ReplyDeleteCW, I thought it was a contest worthy of debate too.
DeleteA vote for Astrud Gilberto.
Lee
Here's one from 6-Gun--a vote that is. I've copied and pasted his comment below:
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were back at it.
This is certainly an interesting battle. I like Kevin Costner. Many people I know don't think much of his movies or his acting, but I've always liked him and most of his movies. A top five western of mine is Open Range. Love it. But The Postman is also a top five science fiction movie. I think it has a fascinating premise of a guy just trying to survive and making up a story about the postman's uniform that he took from a long-dead corpse. Then circumstances and his inherent goodness combine to have him rise of the occasion, ending up inspiring the rebuilding of the nation.
However, this is him singing. Given that fact, and the fact that I like Astrud... she gets the vote!
Sixgun McItchyfinger
6-Gun, yes my summer is done and it's back to the work of blogging.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on Costner. I liked The Postman enough that I bought the DVD when it came out. I'm sure I'll watch it again someday. If the power grid stays on.
A vote for Astrud Gilberto.
Lee