Is the River Too Wide? ( # BOTB Results)

      Is the river too wide?  Are the waters too deep?  Is it worth it getting to the other side?   Or is it better to fade into oblivious sleep?

There was something I wanted to say, but it's something that has been already said.   Perhaps silence is a better way.   For now thoughts will stay in my head.

...but then of course I still have Twitter and Facebook...

I think there are times when we all need to just scream even if without a sound...

For now I give you--


Battle of the Bands Results




         In my most recent Battle I offered up two songs about crossing expanses of water as performed by the Kentucky duo The Other Years and British singer/songwriter Gaz Brookfield. While Gaz came up with the win in this Battle, the Other Years made a respectable showing.

        After reading my BOTB post some of you might have determined that my favorite in this contest was The Other Years.  After all, this duo was the initial inspiration for this Battle.  I thought Gaz Brookfield's song was pleasant enough with a decent performance, but I didn't find it to be exceptionally unique.  On the other hand, to me the song "Bridges" was more poetic with a deeper thought behind the message. The melody was haunting, evoking memory and contemplation.  I thought the hollow resonance of the recording location added to the feel.  I was captivated by the performance of the song "Bridges" and it has been echoing in my mind for weeks now.  I had to vote for The Other Years in this match-up.

        Then there was this comment from BOTB founder and mentor Stephen T. McCarthy:

     This is going to seem mean but... I'm being honest:
While watching the video of the female duo, I just couldn't shake from my mind the mental image of that boy in the "dueling banjos" scene from the movie 'Deliverance'. Uhm... is that singer his daughter? Sister? Mother? Kissing cousin?

     To which I replied:

STMcC, funny you should say this about Deliverance. In the PBS show I watched, the blond to whom you refer actually plays banjo much of the time and your connection was the first thing that struck me. I think she's kind of like the cute sister of the Deliverance guy--or the daughter.

      If you're not familiar with Deliverance and the Banjo Boy, here are some comparatives:so you can decide for yourself if you agree:

Billy Redden "Banjo Boy" from Deliverance

        (If you're missing the reference then you can watch the clip from the movie here)

          More songs from The Other Years featuring Heather Summers on banjo:

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        I do see some resemblance, but I also think Heather is beautiful in her appearance as well as her musicality.  Keep on playing your wonderful music, Heather Summers.


Final Vote Tally

The Other Years          5 votes

Gaz Brookfield           8 votes


Next Battle on Saturday August 1

         Maybe I'll have more to say on that day or maybe nothing but music...

Crossing Rivers ( #BOTB )

People have become so divided that it seems like some chasms may never be crossed.  We can look across the wide rivers of disparate ideologies and see others who look similar to us and yet so radically different in thinking.  But are we really so different?   I wonder...

Chilhowee Lake (Photo by Arlee Bird)

Crossing Rivers

         Rivers have always fascinated me.  There is the metaphor and symbolism of rivers that can get me to thinking, but then there is the beauty and mystery of the river.  It's good to have a bridge when an expedient means of crossing is necessary, but other methods like ferries have a certain charm.  As long as we can cross the river when we need to then it's good to have whatever means available to make the crossing.

          A couple months ago I watched a PBS music show called Lost River Sessions where a female duo who call themselves "The Other Years" performed a set at the Shaker Village in Auburn KY. One song in particular captured my imagination and started to haunt me. This song "Bridges" had such a mournful dreamy sound such as the kind of music that often appeals to me. 

           After finding the recording of the song on YouTube I listened to it a number of times and an idea for a Battle of the Bands began to formulate in my mind.  As I considered the ways to cross rivers I came across a song about ferries.  There's more than one way to cross a river...
       

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 there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of those with a second Battle excepting over these summer months.   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.


The Other Years   "Bridges"  (2016)

            This duo comes from Louisville KY.  There aren't too many recordings I could find of the duo, but they do have some samples on the Bandcamp music site if you'd like to hear more from them.  But for now the song "Bridges" is enough for me...







Gaz Brookfield   "Ferry Song"  (2015)

        Gaz is from the United Kingdom and plays acoustic folk as well as rock.  He plays solo as well as in bands.  He gets around.  Sometimes he travels by ferry...







Time to Vote!

         Music doesn't have divide us, but we can have preferences in what music we want to listen to.    Which song version do you prefer?   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.


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

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘Storms and Stardust’ 

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

The Doglady's Den 

Angel's Bark  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Cherdo on the Flipside 

A I Love Music


Winner of this Battle Announced on Wednesday July 22nd

         Yeah, I'm back for a mid-month Battle.  It's difficult for me to be away for long, especially when I have all of these Battles lined up waiting to take their turn on the Tossing It Out stage. So I'm here again and I'll see what I'll do the rest of the summer.  For now, I'll do what I'll do and I guess that's what I've always done...


           Would you rather cross a river by bridge or ferry?   What is the scariest ferry ride you've taken?  What is the scariest bridge you've crossed (in reality or metaphorically)?