My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2025 the theme is a random assemblage of things that are on my mind--or that just pop into my mind. Whatever! Let's just say I'll be "Tossing It Out" for your entertainment or however it is you perceive these things.
Not much to say today so I won't say much except who won the Battle of the Bands....
Battle of the Bands Results
My most recent Battle was between two versions of a song called "Road to Cairo" which was written by David Ackles who was also the first contender. The second version was by Julie Driscoll backed by Brian Auger and the Trinity.
As some of you also said, it was a close choice. I would have been fine with either as a winner and at first it was a real horse race. My vote for David Ackles didn't affect the win much as he clearly was the front runner with no help from me...
Final Vote Tally
David Ackles 13 votes Brian Auger & Co. 8 votes
Next Battle on Friday November 15th
I'm not writing any novel, but I've got plenty to keep me busy! How about you?
A fella told me this here road leads to Cairo. I got to get me a ride. I got to go back, go back to my children. I got to see my little bride...
Once again another Halloween is passed as we now approach Christmas with a stopover in Thanksgiving season. Time is flying, but I'll dispense with that cliche. Besides I've said it before in blog posts of past years--and you may very well have too.
However, I will acknowledge this November season when so many of you may be participating (or, like me, in the past have participated) in National Novel Writing Month. Good luck to all of you who will be making this attempt at writing yet another--or a first--novel.
I'll be sitting this one out as I have in the past few years. Writing a novel is currently not at the forefront of my agendas. It's not so much that I've lost interest in writing a novel, but there are other things that I want to focus on for now.
I finished two NANO novels in the past, one being in 2010 a science fiction story called Time Light. Most of that story takes place in 1965 Chicago. At one point the action diverts to a road trip down to Cairo, Illinois. So, in honor of NANO and one of my own attempts, comes another Battle of the Bands...
Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bandsisthe blogging event started byFar Away Seriesand now hosted byStMcC 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.
David Ackles "Road to Cairo" (1968)
Typically I wouldn't use an original version by an artist, but since David Ackles is probably unknown to many of you, I don't mind starting this Battle off with his original version of "Road to Cairo". I first discovered Ackles when I picked up his self-titled debut album in the cut-out bins. What a find! Great performances of some fantastic songs. Ackles should have been more acclaimed than he was. See what you think of his version of this song...
Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & the Trinity "Road to Cairo" (1968)
Who could top the David Ackles version? Maybe this version. This was released a few months after David Ackles came out with his version. I've been a big fan of Brian Auger since 1969 when I saw his group with Julie Driscoll on the Tom Jones television show. This is a great version of the Ackles song, but is it as good as Ackles himself? You decide...
Time to Vote! Are you as torn between these two versions as I am? 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 ‘YOURDAILYDOSE’ 'MIKE'SRAMBLINGS' '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 Friday November 8th I'll be here, will you? And I'll also be here on Wednesday the 6th for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Now you novelists--get to writing. And the rest of you do what you need to do. Are you writing a novel this November? Are you writing anything this November? What are you going to do in November if not writing?
