This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2025 the theme is a random assemblage of things that are on my mind--or that just pop into my mind. Whatever! Let's just say I'll be "Tossing It Out" for your entertainment or however it is you perceive these things.

Monday, September 15, 2025

Whispering Pines ( #BOTB )

      These past weeks have been a bit of turmoil personally as has it been for the world.  But time just moves on and so does life.  It's good to just sit back and relax and reflect on the good things of life and the positivity that we can get out of it all. It's there.  Somewhere...



 Battle of the Bands


 

        Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and  StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   I do this event  each month on the 15th and the 1st of the month.  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.


Whispering Pines

    Ever since I first heard this song on The Band's second album, it has haunted me through the years.  It's one of my favorite songs by The Band and one of my favorite songs period.  I find it so dreamy and relaxing.  But it is also a great piece of songwriting.  Take a listen to these versions and let me know which you like best...


Doris   "Whispering Pines"  (1970)


 


Outer Park  "Whispering Pines"   (2023)
 

 


Time to Vote!


        Relax.  Enjoy the music.  Which song interpretation  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.



      What do you think of this song featured here in this Battle?  Are you familiar with it?   What are songs that "haunt" you?




16 comments:

  1. Last week was awful all right.
    I think I prefer Outer Park's version.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex, pray for better days that are coming.

      Voting starts with Outer Park.

      Lee

      Delete
  2. Hope is what one needs to count on when the world seems to have listened sight of it. This is a good song and I prefer the second one Whispering Pines. They made it resonate with the style the instruments played and love the singer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Birgit, so far in my many years I have not given up hope.

      Another vote for Outer Park

      Lee

      Delete
  3. R. LEE BOID ~

    I can scarcely believe I am going to vote for a 2013 act over a 1970 act, but that first recording was kind of tough to get through. (I didn't like the lead vocalist's voice nor her male backup's voice.)

    The second recording was definitely atmospheric but just too slowly crawling along for my tastes. Nevertheless, it was easier on my ears.

    ~ D-FensDogG

    POSTSCRIPT: I just went and listened to The Band's original recording, and I think I like Outer Park's cover even better'n the original. You can color me Surprised!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. STMcC, sometimes the slow stuff is the good stuff.

      I'm not sure about outdoing The Band, but I agree it's a close call.

      A vote for Outer Park.

      Lee

      Delete
  4. VOTE = OUTER PARK

    I liked both versions. In the first version some of the instrumental variations were excellent - the cello, the brief organ 'bridge,' the sax at the end. But I really like the vocalist on the Outer Park version; and the male voice that joined later; and the mandolin. ~Ed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ed, thanks for your vote. I agree that they were both good.

      Another vote for Outer Park.

      Lee

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. L.Diane, and that's another vote for...

      Outer Park.

      Lee

      Delete
  6. As you might expect, I am voting for the version McCarthy did NOT vote for. The Outer Park one is simply waaaaay too slow for me. The Doris version sounds like 1970 fer sure, perhaps not the best of 1970, but good enough for the win. I like it... somewhat. It might grow on me more given time.

    Sixgun

    ReplyDelete
  7. For a brief moment, I thought this was about the song "Whispering Pines" by Johnny Horton, with two artists doing covers of that song. But suffice to say, I was proven wrong (lyrics completely different).

    The version by Outer Park comes closest to the song that I grew up with, so a vote to Outer Park.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GB, not familiar with the Johnny Horton song.

      Another vote for Outer Park.

      Lee

      Delete

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