Bob Beats Bob! (#BOTB Results)

May all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Eat well  and rest often--a recipe for a decent life.

Battle of the Bobs

         Let's just get to the point of the post:  Who won the Battle of the Bobs? 

          It's not a big surprise to me who won this match, though I do think it could have gone the other way.  I thought Bob Dylan did a credible and maybe even more convincing job of presenting the song.  He gave a wistful reflection that I could believe he had experienced.  But even though I liked Dylan's version a lot, like the rest of you I gave my vote to Bob Darin.  The orchestration was a big plus for me.  It put me in mind of records my mother used to listen to like Percy Faith with his lush strings. 

      Both versions carried me back to sweet memories and younger days.  But the song does that with its lyrics and dreamy melody.  This song has really touched me over the past week.  Once upon a time...don't we all think about that now and again?

Final Vote Tally

Bob Darin            19 votes

Bob Dylan             5 votes



Next Battle of the Bands on Saturday December 1

         My December Battles won't be Christmas songs, but I use some themes that are related to Christmas things.  Again, have a fantastic Thanksgiving.

Once Upon a Time (Battle of the Bobs) (#BOTB)

     Knowing how to begin and where to begin is sometimes the biggest challenge in story-telling.  That is the point where readers will often decide whether a story is worth their time.

How Do I Begin?

         If you're doing NaNoWriMo this year then you are likely not reading this post of mine, but many who do read are writers so you still might have the concern of how to start a piece.  "Once upon a time" is an oft-used standard approach--trite perhaps--but it can be effective either verbatim or in some variant.  A story has to begin somewhere to fit within the parameters of a readers expectations and economic use of words.

        Then again I suppose any story can begin in any place that seems appropriate.  It depends on what a writer is trying to achieve and what is the most important information to give readers in order to achieve said purpose.

           "Once upon a time"?--it's a vague reference that begs continuance.

           Midway into NaNo month I hope participants are meeting goals while being productive and having fun.  But let's take a moment to listen to some music.  It's the "Battle of the Bobs"  and they both have a story to tell in their own personal styles.  Enjoy...


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.


Once Upon a Time

          This pop standard comes from the 1962 musical All American.  I don't know the musical, but I know the song well.  It has been recorded by numerous artists over the years.  It is a very slow but beautiful song.  I hope you'll give it a chance as it tells a wistful, but familiar story.  In this current Battle I offer two versions by two Bobs--Bob Darin and Bob Dylan.  These live performances were recorded fifty years apart.  The story never changes...



Bob Darin   "Once Upon a Time"   (1966)




Bob Dylan   "Once Upon a Time"  (2016)





Time to Vote!

       Now that you've heard the beginning of my blog post story, it's time for an ending where you provide an outcome with your votes.  What's your favorite between these two choices? Which song version do you like 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

  '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 Wednesday November 21st

         Hope you take the time to listen and enjoy these song stylings.  Maybe you'll want to listen when you are wanting to get in a mellow mood.  I can understand if you might get bored, but really--this is a beautiful song and each rendition is special.  May the best Bob win.

          Do you find it difficult to write good openings to stories or other written works?   Are you more challenged by how to begin or how to finish?    Do you like hearing Bob Dylan sing pop standards?