"Sorry" seemed to be the hardest word--or at least song--in my previous BOTB post. Now I have different song with a similar subject matter. I hope you will enjoy this song more than that Justin Bieber classic "Sorry"...
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| Film poster for Deep in My Heart - Copyright 1954, MGM (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
This film is essentially like a variety show of many great performers of that time strung together with dialog and story to fill the gaps between musical numbers. I didn't recall ever having heard of the story's subject, Sigmund Romberg, but once the songs started playing I realized they were all great standards that I have known and loved since childhood. That's when the inspiration for today's Battle of the Bands came about.
If you're a fan of good old-fashioned musical biopics, I think you might enjoy Deep In My Heart. The lead role is played José Ferrer. I don't recall much of what this actor has done, but I know I've seen him in many films. I thought his portrayal of Romberg was quite well acted though maybe many modern day audiences might find him to be stilted and stuffy.
In any case, I loved the film and I love this song from the film...
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."Lover Come Back To Me"
Over the years this song has been recorded numerous times by a wide variety of artists in many styles. Now the song is considered more of a jazz or pop standard than what it was originally intended to sound like. The selections I've chosen for this Battle were recorded nearly fifty years apart with the newest recording performed in a style that sounds 30 years older than the older recording. Sounds crazy perhaps, but take a listen and you'll see what I mean...
Gaucho w/ Tamar Korn "Lover, Come Back To Me" (2010)
Tamar Korn is a respected jazz artist with world renown. On this cover of our featured song of Battle she is backed by an ensemble of world class jazz musicians who have played with artists as diverse as Tom Waits and the B-52's. The vocals might be off-putting to some of you at first, but try to stick with it. The song presentation is done in the style of 1920's jazz as performed by artists such as Rudy Vallee, Annette Hanshaw, Tiny Tim, and Betty Boop. During the instrumental trade-offs, about half way through the performance, Korn's vocal violin imitation caught my ear as this was something I used to hear some vocalists do back when I was a kid--don't hear this done much these days. This version immediately captivated me when I first heard it. I hope you enjoy it as well...
Brenda Lee "Lover, Come Back To Me" (1963)
Known for hits like "I'm Sorry" (shades of my last BOTB installment!), Brenda Lee was a dynamo of a singer as seen in the next video. Though the previous video might have sounded older, this Brenda Lee video predates it by nearly 50 years. Let's step up the tempo with Brenda Lee's jazzy version of "Lover, Come Back To Me"...
Time to Vote!
This is an old oldie so I hope that's not a turn off for too many of you. Just try to feel the music. Let us know what you think about these two versions. 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 Wednesday, June 22nd
Do you welcome back old friends after a disagreement or do you feel that relationship is forever tainted thereafter? What old films have recently taken you by surprise? Do you think that there is anything wrong with "borrowing" musical phrases when creating an new piece of music?
