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My song choice for the last Battle of the Bands may have seemed a bit lackluster and the turnout of voters may have reflected that. The song "Almost Blue" might be seen as sad or mellow or just plain slow--and it is--but it's a song that especially caught my attention during my Christmas vacation travels and the period of illness that ensued after I got home. The song just seemed appropriate for this round of song match-ups.
During our long cross country trip my wife and I listened to Alison Moyet's terrific album Voice several times. My wife is not usually big on music albums, but this one has become one of her favorites and I concur with her on this choice. Listening to the album so many times I started paying very close attention to each of the songs Moyet covers on this recording.
I was the Lone Ranger in choosing Alison Moyet's version of "Almost Blue", but it is my favorite. The other versions are fantastic, but I prefer the orchestration and the smooth perfect delivery that Moyet presents. If you like excellent traditional song interpretations, you might want to check out Voice by Alison Moyet.
The song's composer Elvis Costello does a fine job, but it's my least favorite version presented in my Battle. His take is a bit roughshod for my taste, but it'll certainly do. Elvis managed to sway two votes in this contest.
The real surprise for me was my throw away toss in of the long depressing version by Chet Baker. Like Stephen T. McCarthy, I thought Baker had died long before this song was written. In fact I initially thought Costello had remade a Baker song. In the end, Chet Baker ran away with the contest having received nine votes. His version is darn good, but I still prefer Moyet.
So final tally in the "Almost Blue" contest is Moyet 1, Costello 2, and Baker 9.
Next Battle of the Bands will be on February 1st. I will have a special Saturday edition for that post.
A to Z Challenge Sign-ups Start Monday!
Yes, many of you have been asking, and now the time for Blogging from A to Z April Challenge sign-ups will be here on Monday. Be watching when the Linky List appears at 3 AM EST on Monday January 27th. What a day! We'll debut the new badge for you to add to your sites and announcing the new A to Z Team for 2014.
Don't miss it and sign up early!
Do you enjoy sad or depressing songs? Are you familiar with Chet Baker? Will you be signing up for the A to Z Challenge on Monday?
