Before I get into my Battle of the Bands contest, I want to address this month's...
Question of the Month
The Question of the Month is hosted by Michael G D'Agostino from A Life Examined. The first Monday of each month I'll be answering a question posed by Michael prior to event day. Click on the link to his blog for more participants. This month's question:
“What’s a decision you’ve made in the past that you know, logically, was the right decision to make, but which you still feel guilty or regretful about?”
In all honesty I can't think of any decisions that I would categorize in the way described by this question. But then I have the philosophy of what's happened is done and over with so I have essentially conditioned myself not to experience feelings of regret in regards to things I can't change. Really, what's the point of lamenting the past? Oh, sure, sometimes I'm sorry for things I've done, but sorry shouldn't be an ongoing process as far as I'm concerned. Same thing with extended guilt feelings. If I can fix anything then I'll do what I can and hope that remedies the situation. Thinking about it doesn't repair any damages and one has to move on into the future.
One decision that I was glad I made was to participate in Battle of the Bands. That is coming up soon in this post, but first another question...
One decision that I was glad I made was to participate in Battle of the Bands. That is coming up soon in this post, but first another question...
A Question about Familiarity
The two main competitors for the 2016 United States presidential race, Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump, are faces which the public has been familiar with for many years. Most of us likely know about the candidates from hearing about them over the years and decades. Proverbial wisdom suggests that familiarity breeds contempt, while others might feel a sense of affection and comfort in the face of their chosen candidate.
Over the years we've seen well-known faces like World War Two general Dwight Eisenhower, the retry run of Richard Nixon in 1968, and a famous Hollywood actor in Ronald Reagan ascend to the White House--they were all pretty recognizable to American voters when they ran for office.
Do you think American voters feel more comfortable voting for someone whose face they readily recognize?
Over the years we've seen well-known faces like World War Two general Dwight Eisenhower, the retry run of Richard Nixon in 1968, and a famous Hollywood actor in Ronald Reagan ascend to the White House--they were all pretty recognizable to American voters when they ran for office.
Do you think American voters feel more comfortable voting for someone whose face they readily recognize?
Battle of the Bands
"I've Seen That Face Before" (1981)
A while back I watched the Roman Polanski film Frantic (1988) which stars Harrison Ford. It's a decent thriller about an American doctor whose wife disappears while they are visiting Paris, France. The Grace Jones version of "I've Seen That Face Before" is a song that particularly stood out for me while I was watching the film. Curious, I later researched the song on YouTube where I was pleased to find a number of interesting versions well suited for a Battle of the Bands match.
The melody comes from an Astor Piazzolla tango called "Libertango" with added lyrics co-written by Jamaican model and singer Grace Jones. The haunting nature of the song fits ideally into the somber Polanski film. You can hear the original version by Grace Jones HERE, but please don't vote on this version--it's for the reference of those who are curious.
Brady Harris Band "I've Seen That Face Before" (2013)
This band lives up the road from me according to their Facebook page. I don't know anything more than what's online, but for more info visit their website. I'll just let the music do the talking.
Kovacs "I've Seen That Face Before" (2014)
From Europe we have the Danish singer Sharon Kovacs with her jazzy take on this battle's song choice. Her website is here (music plays after you open so be aware). And here's her version of "I've Seen That Face Before". Enjoy.
Time to Vote!
I hope that you've enjoyed these two different takes on this haunting song. Maybe it's not your style of music, but hopefully you'll keep a musically open mind in assessing the two versions. Let us know what you think about these two recordings. Is there one that you prefer over the other? If you're visiting a Battle of the Bands post for the first time then let me briefly explain. Please give each song version a fair listen to decide which one you enjoy the most. If you don't like either then at least tell us which recording was least innocuous to you. This comes down to your preference and it's as easy as that.
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
‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
'Curious as a Cathy'
Sound of One Hand Typing
DC Relief Battle of the Bands
The Doglady's Den
Angel's Bark
Cherdo on the Flipside
Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Janie Junebug Righting & Editing.
J. A. Scott
Quiet Laughter
Holli's Hoots and Hollers
Be ReInVintaged
the pedestrian writer
Winner Announced on Friday October 7th
I'll be skipping a post this coming Monday so this one stays current until my post for Insecure Writer's Support Group on Wednesday October 5th. Then next Friday I will announce who won the current Battle of the Bands. Please vote on one of the above song versions!
