I said I'd do it here so here I am doing it. I know you've been waiting so here it is!!!
Battle of the Bands Results
Folsom Prison Blues
This is not my favorite song by a long shot, but I do like it and I'm a long time fan of Johnny Cash. And again, he's not my favorite artist, but I recognize his place in music history and can appreciate his achievements in field of music.
My recent contest had three artists performing the well-known Cash hit in three varying styles. I liked all three versions--that's why I picked them--so I could go with any of them. But in order to prevent a tie and to give something to every contestant then I'm giving my vote to the oddly named group The Cripple and The Tramp. So that gives us a winner by a narrow margin.
Have there been times over the past couple years that you've almost felt like you were a prisoner? Lockdowns, mask downs, and all sorts of idiocy. Oh well-- as long as I've got my television, my computer, books to read, and other diversions I guess I'm okay. With all of the rising prices who can afford to go out?
Those of you who don't live in California or some other similar wacko world might not feel the way I feel these days. We've got $5 a gallon gas and all sorts of restrictions that make one want to stay home anyway. Yesterday I went to Aldi and paid $1.99 for a dozen eggs! Not that long ago they were somewhere around 89 cents a dozen. I guess we're paying the prices for having to move chickens from cramped coops into luxury chicken condos.
And forget about meat if you're on a shoestring budget. That's okay--I cut back eating meat a few years ago. And I rarely wear shoes with shoestrings anymore. Give me slip-on shoes to accompany my slip-on life. I'm okay. I hope you're okay.
And I hope you'll vote in this round of Battle of the Bands...
Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bandsisthe blogging event started byFar Away Seriesand now hosted byStMcC 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.
Folsom Prison Blues
Most of you have probably heard the big Johnny Cash hit "Folsom Prison Blues" which hit the charts in 1968 after appearing on his live album recorded at Folsom Prison. He'd originally scored a place on the charts with the song in 1956. What you might not know is that Cash essentially ripped off the song from a 1953 album by Gordon Jenkins who recorded it as "Crescent City Blues" (go ahead and take a listen and you'll see). Cash later paid a settlement to Jenkins in the 1970's after the Folsom Prison version became a monster hit.
The song has become a standard over the years and many cover versions have since been recorded and performed. In this Battle I present three different recordings of varied styles Forget Cash since he'd likely run away with all the votes, but maybe one of these might capture your heart over the others. Take a listen and see what you think...
Slim Harpo is the stage name for James Isaac Moore who came from Louisiana. Renown as a harmonica or "harp" player, he used the name "Harpo" though he also sang and played guitar. Slim released his version of "Folsom Prison Blues" shortly after Cash turned the song into a big hit.
Erik Francis Schrody aka Whitey Ford aka Everlast is an eclectic musician who is most known as a rap/hip-hop artist. Originally from Los Angeles, Whoever-he-is recorded the Cash hit for his House of Pain album. Maybe his version will be a pain or a pleasure to you, but you will have to decide with your vote...
Thought I'd throw in this Americana folky sounding version just to mix things up. Maybe this style will be more to your liking. Or maybe you'd just rather watch it die...
Time to Vote! You are free to vote! It's not like you're a prisoner or something like that, unless you are thinking metaphorically. So please vote. Which artist do you enjoy the most? Of the three 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'SRAMBLINGS' 'Curious as a Cathy' Sound of One Hand Typing Jingle, Jangle, Jungle Winner of this Battle Announced on Friday January 21st
I'm not sure there is much point in the results posts, but I suppose I should do them. Maybe I need to add more content other than results? Have any suggestions? Do you look to see the results of these Battles or do you tend to forget or just don't care?
The workers are now gone and the work is done for the most part. We're going to rest a few days and then take on the next project. Gotta decide what that project will be.
But for today let's see what happened in my last Battle of the Bands....
Battle of the Bands Results
My most recent Battle was an old movie song called "We're the Couple in the Castle" as performed by Glenn Miller and Lisa Hindmarsh. I kind of figured that more voters would go for the more known factor of Glenn Miller, but in this round the newer lesser known artist won the most votes including my own.
Final Vote Tally
Glenn Miller 3 votes
Lisa Hindmarsh 10 votes
Next Battle on Saturday January 15th
As long as the inspiration is there I'll do the Battle. But in the end it's the usual battle between me and me getting around to doing the Battle of the Bands post. We'll see.
To vote on my January 1st Battle of the Bands please visit here. Votes have come in on the low side so I hope you can take a moment to vote before results are announced on Friday January 7th...
The Insecure Writer's Support Group
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh'sInsecure 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.
January 5 question - What's the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?
Let me start by saying that I'm not one to dwell much on regret. Whatever decisions I've made in my past have brought me to where I am today and I'm relatively content with where I am now. Sure, there are some things that might be better in my life, but things could be a whole lot worse as well. I'm thankful for who I am now, what I have, and where I have been in my life. Life is good!
But playing the what-if game for the purpose of this month's question, I regret most not writing more than I could have. There are so many ideas that I have still to expand upon and pursue that none of them will see the eyes of any audience until I write them and put them out there. Let's face it: I'm lazy in respect to writing and so far I have not overcome it.
On a sadder note, Jeremy Hawkins, the graphic design artist and blogger who was responsible for most of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge badges and other artwork passed away recently. He will be greatly missed. February 2nd has been designated a Jeremy Hawkins tribute day for bloggers who might like to express their appreciation and thoughts about him. See more at Alex's blog.
If a man's home is his castle then my castle has been besieged for the past few weeks. We have been beset upon by a small army of varied craftsmen and laborers as they do work in our kitchen and master bedroom suite...
As we enter into the first week of 2022 we also enter into nearly a month of an alien invasion. It's what we asked for and hopefully for our own good in the end, but for now our lives have been in a bit of a disarray. Fortunately we have a comfortable spare bedroom and bath where we can stay until the work is done. And there are plenty of food places nearby where we can go to eat when we get hungry.
This has not been the worst experience in our lives, but I am ready for these people to finish up and leave. Then we can think of the next things that need to be done to our castle. For now we have a holiday weekend of peace and quiet until it all resumes on Monday. What a nice time to enjoy another Battle of the Bands...
Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bandsisthe blogging event started byFar Away Seriesand now hosted byStMcC 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.
We're the Couple in the Castle
A number of years ago I watched a delightful animated film from 1941 called Mr. Bug Goes to Town. The story was about a young songwriter and his wife who are about to lose their little home to the forces of urban "progress". The man has written a song--"We're the Couple in the Castle"--which he is sure will be the big hit he needs to get the money to save their home. However, the envelope with the song being sent to a publisher gets lost as it is being mailed. Fortunately, the bugs who live on the couple's property find the envelope, get it into the right hands, and ultimately save the day.
Intrigued by this song I'd never heard before watching the film, I did some research about it and discovered that there were some cover versions. Voila! Another Battle of the Bands in the waiting line. At last, this seems like an appropriate time to bring this Battle to the light. Here you go with one old version and one more modern version. Which will you choose as your favorite?
Time to Vote! Don't let this diversion bug you too much! Nothing complex about it. Which artist do you enjoy the most? Of the two 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'SRAMBLINGS' 'Curious as a Cathy' Sound of One Hand Typing Jingle, Jangle, Jungle Winner of this Battle Announced on Friday January 7.
This Wednesday I'll have another post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group, but you can vote on this Battle right up to Thursday. Hope you have a great 2022 in store. Surely it will be better than the past two years. It's gotta be!
