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, October 1, 2024

Night and Day ( #BOTB & #IWSG )

       October is the time when nights grow longer and the days shorter.  Either way is fine with me just so the days keep coming.  And the nights... Night and day. Sounds like a song to me...

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 of 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.


Night and Day
  
     This Cole Porter classic is a song I've heard so many times by so many artists ever since my earliest childhood.  It truly is a great song that's hard to botch by any passable artist.  Here's two artists performing this song.  What do you think?



Rod Stewart  "Night and Day"  (2004)

      Another venture by Stewart into the realms of great American standards.  My mother used to like these albums as did many other older women.  Well, I confess that I enjoy listening to them as well.




U2  "Night and Day"  (1990)

      This cover comes from the Red Hot + Blue project to raise money for the fight against AIDS.   When the TV special was on I watched and then went out and got the album. Great music!

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Time to Vote!

         Don't be scared. This is all just for fun.  Listen to the songs then tell us which song version 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 Monday October 7th


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 October 2 posting of the IWSG are Nancy Gideon, Jennifer Lane, Jacqui Murray, and Natalie Aguirre.


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October 2 question - Ghost stories fit right in during this month. What's your favorite classic ghostly tale? Tell us about it and why it sends chills up your spine.


       It's been ages since I've read a horror story and I am not compelled to read this genre anymore.  I might, but I don't think of it much.  Real life can provide enough horror.  Honestly, I can't recollect any specific story.

       Ghosts and ghost stories?  I guess I probably have some in my own past and that's enough for me.






32 comments:

  1. Real life is scarier.
    Definitely U2's version.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex, life should be especially scary to those who don't know where they are going.

      Voting kicks of with U2.

      Lee

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. L.Diane, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.

      Another vote for U2.

      Lee

      Delete
  3. Definitely the Rod Stewart version here. I cannot get past the pretentiousness of the U2 version. Beside, my vote will cancel out Bono voting for himself!

    I really like Brasil 66's version, and suggest readers take some effort to find that one for a quick listen also.

    Sixgun McItchyfinger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 6-Gun, you might cancel Bono's vote but if he buys a lot more then that would throw that plan off. I'm sure he'll be watching this Battle.

      There are so many great covers of this song that we can save the samba for later.

      A vote for Rod Stewart.

      Lee

      Delete
  4. This one was "no contest" for me. Has to be Rod Stewart! I don't like U2's take on this at all, nor do I care for the band, in general. I'm not into Halloween or horror either. As you said, real life is scary enough.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debbie D, Halloween is for kids. Give me Trix anyday.

      A vote for Rod Stewart.

      Lee

      Delete
  5. VOTE = U2

    I like their updated version a lot. It is also true that I am more of a U2 fan than a Rod Stewart anyway... but, yeah. U2.
    ~Ed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ed, coming in to tip the balance with...

      A vote for U2

      Lee

      Delete
  6. Am I the only person who thinks that Rod Stewart always sounds like a Black female singer?!

    Nevertheless, my vote goes to Ms. Stewart.

    The U2 version actually annoyed me a bit, and not just because they possess no more than high school level musical chops. I agree with the stuffs that Sixgun McItchyfinger said, including the bit about the version by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66.

    ~ D-FensDogG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. STMcC, I didn't think you'd fall for U2. I know how much you dislike them.

      Rod Stewart.

      Lee

      Delete
    2. 2020 Presidential election?

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    3. I'll bet you're a big Harris/Walz fan.

      Lee

      Delete
    4. Gee-whiz! The next thing I know, you'll be calling me a [Link> Ferret-Faced Fascist!

      ~ D'DogG

      Delete
  7. I liked Bono's voice better, but Rod sang it as a standard, and I appreciate that. Rod for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John H, Rod stayed pretty faithful in his renditions of classic tunes.

      Rod Stewart.

      Lee

      Delete
  8. Rod gets my vote even though I feel like he took sandpaper to his vocal chords. I like U2 but their take is not great and I think they were a bit arrogant with their take on this classic thinking they can create something unique..well it is unique but not in a good way. I wonder how they would do it now.
    Ghost stories? I love reading about true stories but none of this evil stuff. One tail, the husband's mom died and they had the funeral. After,the wife took a picture of her spouse on the car and you can clearly see an old lady sitting in the backseat. It was his mom! The scientists took the photo and negative for testing to see if it was fake but they could not find anything!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Birgit, I like hearing those ghostly photo stories. Mysterious!

      Seems to be a sort of consensus here about Rod and U2.

      A vote for Rod Stewart.

      Lee

      Delete
  9. I think I prefer the U2 version, but I might be biased because I enjoy a lot of their music.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Damyanti, I also like a lot of U2's music although I haven't listened to much of it in this current century.

      U2.

      Lee

      Delete
  10. I have yet to see mention of Goosebumps, or the Father-Son-Holy Ghost. Interesting. I'll keep looking

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CT, probably never find mention of "Goosebumps" here, but I might dabble in the Holy Ghost someday.

      Lee

      Delete
  11. It's been awhile since I've heard anything by Rod Stewart - let alone this song (a personal favorite) I'm voting for U2 for smoother vocals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diedre, I'm sure I've heard stuff by Rod, but haven't really noticed.

      Another vote for U2.

      Lee

      Delete
  12. I do love me some U2, especially The Joshua Tree, but at first their rendition struck me as rather self-important. However, the Rod Stewart version is even worse, so I'll go with U2!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer, both artists have put out some great albums over the years.

      Another vote for U2.

      Lee

      Delete
  13. From my cousin Tom on Facebook comes a vote for...

    U2.

    Lee

    ReplyDelete

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