Down to Earth Results ( #BOTB Results )

        I was on Creativity Highway when I pulled over to a rest stop to take a break.  I went into the bathroom building for a moment and when I returned my car was gone and I was stranded at the rest stop.  Fortunately they have a nice comfortable waiting area with sofas and such so I can relax until my new mode of transportation comes.  I mean this all metaphorically of course--not literally.  Or do I?

Battle of the Bands Results

The Spooky Halloween Battle

       My most recent Battle was a Halloween special that featured the beach music stylings of Frankie Stein and his Orchestra against the far out sounds of spacey Jeff Barry.  These were both songs that entertained me when I was a kid and embedded themselves in my musical memory.

       In my brief research effort I could not find any actual information about Frankie and his Ghoul Crew.  It's likely the albums were compiled using various studio musicians.  Several albums have been released under the band name and it's all pretty listenable sixties instrumental music if you can deal with the "scary" sound effects that are interwoven throughout the music.  That's what I loved when I was a kid.

     On the other hand, Jeff Barry was a credible songwriter who wrote many hits most of you know well.  With his partner, they cranked out songs like "Be My Baby," "Hanky Panky," "Leader of the Pack," and "Do Wah Diddy," and so many others.  He also with his wife and on his own wrote numerous television show themes and song used in film.  "Face from Outer Space" is among his earliest efforts done when silly novelty songs were all the rage.  That's when his song caught my attention.  I've never heard it played elsewhere since then other than finding it on YouTube.  The song really has stuck with me over the years.

       Between the two songs, if I were to choose background music played on a loop then I'd probably go with Frankie Stein.  However as far as the better--or at least my favorite--I'd have to cast my vote for Jeff Barry.  Not what the majority opted for.

Final Vote Tally

Frankie Stein       7 votes

Jeff Barry             4 votes

Next Battle November 1

     I won't say anything about how we're getting close to the end of another year.  Or maybe I just did...

Scare Time!!!! ( #BOTB )

        It's a-coming!  That time of scary stuff and silly stuff and lots of candy.  That is if you can afford it. I have been a non-participant in Halloween ever since I stopped working.  I eat the candy, but I don't answer the door and keep the lights off.  Bah Humbug!  Now how about some Halloween music fun...

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.

  Songs from my Youth

     When I was a kid I was totally into Halloween.  It was one of my favorite times of the year.  As I grew more interested in music, I became more interested in scary music that was good for Halloween.  Here are two songs that I got a kick out of when I was a kid.  Have you heard of either of these before?  Which do you like best?

Frankie Stein and his Ghouls  "The Creep"  (1965)

        This group had a series of albums with the horror theme and I had most of them.  I loved the artwork on the covers and since I was into Beach Music at that time, this music was right up my lane. One funny thing about the series is that the same songs were sometimes repeated with new titles.  Probably most people didn't notice since the music was all pretty similar.  This was one of my favorite tunes from the band...

Jeff Barry   "The Face from Outer Space"   (1960)

       I can remember seeing this song performed on a TV show in about 1960 and it impacted me.  I thought it was just the scary kind of fun that I was into.  Though I cannot recall hearing the song on the radio, the song stuck with me for years.  I found a copy of the song on a 45 disc in around 1965 and had it for a number of years until I gave my 45's to my friend Marvin to use as target practice.  I wish I hadn't have done that, but the song is preserved on YouTube.  Here it is for you to listen to...

 

Time to Vote!

         Don't be a creep.  Vote!  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 

Landmark Sounds (Diedre Knight)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS BY DEBBIE D

Trivial Music Silliness

Mike's Ramblings

Results on Monday October 21st

          Hope you have a great week.  See you soon.

What Time Is It? ( #BOTB Results )

     I feel like I have so many projects that I'd like to tackle that it gets difficult to focus on just one at a time.  Guess that's why I seem to get so little done.  And then there's all the daily chores that take up a lot of my time.  By the way, dinner will be around 4:30 PM.  Tonight, we're having pinto beans with Cajun sausage...

Battle of the Bands Results

Night and Day

     My most recent Battle saw the venerable Rod Stewart go up against the oft-despised Bono and his group U2. Stewart played it safe with his traditional take on the Cole Porter standard. I can't help but like the backing band and the arrangement of Stewart's version and I'm even okay with his gravelly vocals.  That's the Rod Stewart I "grew up" with.

     On the other hand, Bono takes a rather daring approach that appeals to me. I can hear the pretentiousness that some of you hear, but I just think that's part of the U2 style. I still remember. watching the TV concert at Red Rocks special they did in the eighties and I've liked them ever since. That's who I'm voting for.

      I figured this would be a tight Battle since I know so many of my readers have a distaste for U2 and would go for the more traditional sound of Rod Stewart.  Me?  I like them both, but in this case I just like that U2 sound better.

Final Vote Tally

Rod Stewart      5 votes

U2                    10 votes 

       Well, what about that?  I expected a closer race and wasn't sure about the outcome.  

        I plan to be back for an October 15th Battle and who knows what else.  See you when...

 

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!

.

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 

Landmark Sounds (Diedre Knight)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS BY DEBBIE D

Trivial Music Silliness

Mike's Ramblings

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.