You know how you'll be looking for something and then find something else that distracts you and you forget what you were originally looking for? Did that ever happen to you? Well, that's what happened 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 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.
Misirlou
When I started to compile my Battle of the Bands post for the first of March I started thinking about some certain song for some reason that I don't remember. This was rather unnecessary since I have tons of Battle potential songs lined up in my someday queue, but I just wasn't in the mood for any of them. And my mind was in a wandering mood.
So echoing in the chambers of my mind was a melody that I couldn't remember what the name was. I was thinking of steel guitars or something wailing mournfully. Maybe it was something by the Three Suns so I looked on YouTube with no satisfactory results regarding what was in my head. But then another recommendation showed up that set me off in another direction.
The hypnotic gaze of Korla Pandit reached out of the computer and drew me into the old film short of him playing "Misirlou" on the console organ and piano. I was taken back to my childhood in San Diego of the early sixties when sometimes I would tune into the Mexican TV station emanating from Tijuana and I would see them playing one of the old Korla Pandit music films and I would be totally fascinated by the sound and visual.
Many years passed until I was reminded of this old childhood memory when I saw old Korla in the film ED WOOD with Johnny Depp in one of my favorite roles that he portrayed. This film is such a great film and if you've never seen it you really ought to. Especially if you enjoy films about filmmaking. And to see the actual Korla Pandit appearing as himself.
Anyway, that's why I picked my song for this Battle. I'm pretty sure someone else has done this song before, but since it's a good one then might as well do it again. And besides, it was on my mind...
Korla Pandit "Misirlou" (1951)
This predecessor of Liberace had one of the early music TV shows. Fifteen minutes of him looking into the camera with his hypnotic gaze and playing the trance-inducing music. Women loved him back in the day. for more info:
Why was Korla Pandit the Greatest Imposter of the 50s?
Olga Avigail "Misirlou" (2021)
Looking up this artist I see that she is pretty serious about Jewish music. I'd say her version is more like the original authentic sound. Certainly nothing like Pulp Fiction if you know what I'm saying.
This isn't any lesson of musicology! It's a Battle of the Bands! You're supposed to vote on one of these versions. Which of these versions do you prefer? Battles are no fun without you the reader participating. 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
This was very interesting, Lee ;-) I was half expecting that song by the Fleetwoods (The Great Imposter)
ReplyDeleteMatter of fact, I often do find something I've missed while looking for something else ;-)
Why was Korla the greatest? I'm not so sure he was the greatest. But he gets my vote for this battle.
I hope you get my comment. As far as I can tell, my scheduled battle still hasn't posted. Must be Ides of March already.
diedre, sounds to me like he pulled off a pretty good imposter thing on folks. I don't guess it was a scam, but it wasn't very honest I guess.
DeleteVoting starts off with Korla Pandit
Lee
Unusual music, and none that I had heard before... yet again. I thought I was pretty well exposed to it all, but no. I wonder what stuff is in store for us in two weeks?
ReplyDeleteNot my cuppa, either. I actually fell asleep during the Olga version and felt refreshed after, so she gets the vote.
Sixgun McItchyfinger
6-gun, I'm surprised somewhat that you hadn't heard of Korla. Seems he was a bit of a phenomena in the fifties with a cult following after that. I'm sure you know the rock versions of this song.
DeleteA vote for Olga
Lee
I prefer Olga's version. Its authenticity was good.
ReplyDeleteWhoever you may be, thank you for your vote for...
DeleteOlga.
Lee
R. LEE BOID ~
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. I knew nut'n about Korla Pandit. But, curiously, just about 5 nights ago I watched 'ED WOOD' (yet again). Surely you know that anyone who is a BIG Tiny (Tim) fan would also be an Ed Wood fan. In fact, I liked Eddie before it was cool to do so. And, helck, it's *still* not cool to like Tiny Tim, but that will change someday... I hope.
Now I gots to figure out where Korla's scene was in 'Ed Wood' and see it yet again... again.
I watched that YT video 'Why was Korla Pandit the Greatest Imposter of the 50s?' and found it intriguing.
Knowing that my favorite musical instrument is the electric organ, I'm certain you knew that I was going to vote for Korla... and you were certainly right!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC, Korla had a TV show on channel 5 in L.A. probably in the fifties. I know you like Ed Wood. I believe the scene in the movie was when Ed Wood is doing the belly dance with the veil over his face. I've got the film on VHS but I don't have a player hooked up at the present.
DeleteKorla Pandit
Lee
VOTE = OLGA AVIGAIL
ReplyDeleteSomething indefinable drew me more toward her version; although Korla Pandit was pretty amazing playing organ and piano simultaneously. ~Ed.
Ed, I find her version to be very fascinating. I love the sound.
DeleteOlga
Lee
I don't understand why women like Korla. Him staring into the camera is sorta creepy if you ask me. Both of these renditions are good. I think overall, I preferred the instrumental arrangement of Korla Pandt the best. I liked the Yiddish cover and it would be nice to listen to the music arrangement against Korla's to see my vote ouwld change. Please give my vote to Mr. Creepy Korla Pandt. :)
ReplyDeleteCathy, I guess the ladies look into his eyes and become mesmerized.
DeleteAnother vote for Korla Pandit
Lee
I love Ed Wood and rewatched it last year...I think I remember seeing him but I have to watch it again. I am always surprised where Quentin Tarantino gets his music. I do like the first one but I love the 2nd. She gets my vote. I love the middle eastern influence in the music. I even knew a few words. My mom said she could understand the language a little because there is a connection between the German language and Hebrew( is it Hebrew??)
ReplyDeleteBirgit, I don't know the language, but I like the sound of the music.
DeleteA vote for Olga
Lee
I know the song well (and did a BOTB with it once), but not these artists. Fascinating battle, Lee! Olga's middle eastern vibe gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteDebbie D, I knew that you had done this song before. I finally found your Battle and realized I had not duplicated your artists. Cool.
DeleteA vote for Olga.
Lee