In the Still of the Night (#BOTB)

Forget about a Liberal Arts education if you really want to be useful in this world.  Learn a trade or something in the medical profession.  A solid knowledge of computers is valuable.  I wish I'd known all this way back when...

Fall colors in Tennessee trees (photo by Arlee Bird)

           The last time I posted on this site I mentioned that my computer had died and I was looking for a new one.   I'm still going to be looking, but--wonder of wonders--my Lenovo desktop that I've had for the past seven years decided to return to the world of the living (and the blogging).  Not sure what happened, but I guess I've been granted a reprieve for the time being.

         Maybe there's something symbolic or metaphorical here, but I'll just settle for stuff happening in the mysterious (to me) world of computers.  I still want another computer though.  For now there's no hurry.  Instead, in this lull of computer concerns, I'll have another Battle of the Bands.  What better way to pass time in this still of the night...

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 blogs there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of those with a second Battle on 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.

In the Still of the Night


          In the Still of the Night was written by Cole Porter for the 1937 film Rosalie.  Originally sung in the film by Nelson Eddy, the song has been recorded by many artists since.


Tommy Dorsey Orchestra   "In the Still of the Night"  (1937)

          Here's one of those BOTB candidates that might be a tough one to beat.  I know there are more than a few big band fans out there.  I dedicate this Battle to you.   This recording first hit the pop charts on October 16, 1937--82 years ago!  The recording eventually peaked at number 3 on the hit charts.  Is it a hit with you?





Aaron Neville and the Neville Brothers "In the Still of the Night"  (1990)

         When I first heard this version it was on an ABC television special that coincided with the album release of  Red Hot + Blue, which was to raise awareness and benefit AIDS.  The songs on the album were versions of Cole Porter tunes done by several popular artists.  The Neville Brothers blew me away with their version.  I thought Aaron Neville had the voice of an angel.  Still sounds good to me.  How about you? 







Time to Vote!

        Okay, don't just sit there being still.  Get busy and vote!  Which version do you like best?   Pick one and have some fun!  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.




Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Angel's Bark  

Debbie Doglady's Den

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Cherdo on the Flipside





Winner of this Battle Announced on Monday October 21st

         In the meantime I'm going to be enjoying some visiting family in the upcoming week, but I'll try my best to make it for my results post.  That is, computer willing.  I'll still be a bit on edge with this computer thing.  But that's okay.  Things always seem to work out somehow.

           Do you think a college education is a necessity in today's world?   If you were (are) considering going (back) to college, what would you likely major in?  Has fall weather come to your town yet?

Begin the Beguine (#BOTB)

Begin the Summer

           For many of us, Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning to summer even though the first day of summer is still a few weeks away.  Schools that have not already began their summer breaks will start doing so in the next couple weeks.  Some of you might have already started making summer vacation plans.  Or some might be starting summer jobs.

 Really early wake up on summer vacation in the Vysoké Tatry mountain (Slovakia). Havran (highest peak of the East Tatra - Belianske Tatry) on the shot. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

         As has become a summer tradition for my wife and I, we'll be traveling back east to see family.  My wife's vacation will be shorter this year therefore our travels will not be as extensive as the past couple years.  Nevertheless we'll still have about a month making our rounds.

          We won't actually be leaving until after July 4th, but my summer blogging schedule will begin now.  Ironically my summer blogging schedule is essentially the same as what my blogging schedule always is which doesn't amount to much of a predictable schedule for the most part.

          I'll keep doing my Battle of the Bands posts on the 1st and 15th of the month although that might cut back to just one a month.   There will also be results posts for whatever Battles I put up. The Insecure Writer's Support Group posts will likely appear according to that schedule.  After those posts it will be a matter of me posting according to whim.

          This all goes against what is considered "good" blogging.   My recommendation to bloggers who want to retain and build readership is to post regularly according to a predictable schedule.  Whim should not enter into that equation.   But it's summer.  Let us begin the summer 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 twice each month on the 1st and 15th.   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.

Begin the Beguine

       This Cole Porter song was written in 1935 and used in the stage musical Jubilee.  "Begin the Beguine" has been recorded many times as well as having made numerous film appearances.   A beguine is a sultry ballroom dance style with French and Latin influences.  The song is a standard classic most often associated with big bands and pop song stylists.  For my Battle I have chosen versions by two rock artists that one might not have expected to sing this song.


Pete Townshend   "Begin the Beguine"     (1987)





Sheryl Crow  "Begin the Beguine" (2004)





Begin The Vote!

       Do you have a preference between these two choices?   Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind. Which version do you like the best?   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.

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

The Doglady's Den 

Angel's Bark  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 
  


Winner of this Battle Announced on Wednesday June 7th

      Next Wednesday will also be #IWSG day so I'll have a short combined post.

        Has your summer started yet?   What has been your favorite summer job?   Do you have a special blogging schedule during the summer?

You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To (#BOTB)

Pensioners Cottage, Ballygowan. This quaint old cottage in original condition is located near Lammy crossroads.
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Home Sweet Home

       Settled in for a few days, it's almost like we never left.   The miles behind us, the places we've been and people we spent time with almost seem like a dream now that I'm nestled back into the familiarity of the house we've lived in for the past nineteen years.  A vacation is nice, but in some ways being home in familiar surroundings is equally so.  In many ways it's better.

        From the vantage point of this modest place we call home, we've seen our girls finish school, leave home, and start families and careers as I've settled into retirement and my wife will soon follow.  Will we stay in this dwelling in the years to come?  We have been pondering that decision in recent years and the decision is one that will likely be made within the next few years.  I have some dreams in mind, but the act of moving is not something I particularly relish.

        For now I'll keep this decision of relocation in the back of my mind.   The thought will creep frequently into the forefront of my thinking as the quandary looms ever larger over my shoulder.  I love this place I call home, but it is a mere physical abode.  This is the place my wife and I think of as home, but this place can be replaced in my worldview.   I don't have to be here forever and come to think of it I won't.

        The structure where I keep my stuff is merely a storage room and a shelter for my physical being.   Eventually this situation will pass and my spirit will move on.  But until that time comes, I hope I can find that near perfect structure in that near perfect geographical location where life can be lived in peace, comfort, and as much happiness as circumstances will allow.

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 twice each month on the 1st and 15th.   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.



"You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To"

         This 1943 song by Cole Porter has been in my BOTB song queue for a couple of years and coming home from vacation seemed like the ideal time to unleash it.  Though I've heard this song many times since childhood, I was first drawn to it several years ago when I bought the CD Sinatra Sings Cole Porter.   The haunting version on this album came from The Frank Sinatra Show which was broadcast on television on February 3, 1951--four days after I was born.  I had planned on using his duet with June Hutton for my battle, but I could not find a video that was unrestricted in all countries.   However I offer it here for anyone who is interested in hearing it (but please don't vote on this version).

         The song has been recorded by numerous artists since first appearing in the film Something to Shout About where it was introduced by Don Ameche and Janet Blair.  For my battle I have chosen two very short recordings which came from live performances in the 1960's, both done in Japan.

Anita O'Day "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" (1963)

       Internationally proclaimed for her jazz singing style, Anita O'Day was nicknamed "The Jezebel of Jazz."   Throughout her life she struggled with drug addiction though she lived until age 87 still recording until near the time of her death.  Her smooth song styling is showcased in this following performance with some fine Japanese jazz musicians.





Julie London "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" (1964)

       The prolific Julie London had a popular career as a singer, actress, and television personality through four decades starting with her first film role in 1944 and up to her recurring role on the television show Emergency! which ended in 1978 after six seasons. Her sultry singing style led to the recording of 29 studio albums with 29 singles hitting the charts.  Her version of this battle's song by Cole Porter is from the laser disc "Julie London Show", with the Bobby Troup Quintet, recorded on May 28, 1964 in Japan.






Time to Vote!

         Hope you've enjoyed this trip back in time with a Cole Porter classic.  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


Winner Announced on Monday August 22nd

      I don't plan to post on this blog until next Monday, but who knows what wild things might come to my mind that will lead to another post this week.  I'm just saying that another post this week is not in my plans for the time being.  That's the way it is.  And actually I need to do some recouping after our long trip away from home.  See you when I see you.

       Are you happy with where you currently live?   Do you think you will ever move to another home?    What is your dream location for a home and what would you like to see in another home if you were to move?

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