A Hot Race for a Hot Season ( #BOTB Results )

Summer is a-sizzlin' here in New Jersey.  If I could have brought my California weather here this would be darn nice weather-wise.  Otherwise it's still nice here with family...

Still on Vacation

      Maybe it sounds weird for a retired person to talk about being on vacation since it always seems like I'm on a bit of a vacation.  I guess it's just the different routine that makes it seem like vacation.  That and the traveling and the difference of scenery and people I'm around.  So I guess this is a vacation.

        Having a wonderful time!



Battle of the Bands Results

The "Fly Like an Eagle" Battle

         Keeping it quick so I can fly like an eagle myself, here are the results of my recent Battle between old artist Trini Lopez and newer artist Rus Reppert.   This was a neck and neck Battle right to the end.  It was a nicely matched fun Battle.

          I went back and forth with my thinking on who I preferred, but I kept going back to the version by Trini Lopez.  It was interesting to see this artist presenting his updated take on the song, which is pretty good for a guy who is now past 80 years old.   Trini's version had more going for it production-wise with more variety.  My vote goes to Trini.   What a race it was!


Final Vote Tally

Trini Lopez        8 votes 

Rus Reppert       10 votes

Next Battle on Thursday August 1st

       I'll be back on the road for this next Battle so I hope I can keep up okay.  I'll manage I'm sure, but I might be late making rounds.  Hope you're having a great summer without getting overly heated.


        Do you think of retirement as a sort of  extended ongoing vacation?   If you're not working in an employment sense, do you like to keep busy doing stuff?   What are your favorite things to do during summer?

Fly LIke an Eagle ( #BOTB )

Forget Waldo.  Where am I now?  No matter--at least I've managed some attempt at another band Battle...




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.


Fly Like an Eagle

         Since I'm out here on vacation all across America I've been doing a lot of flying with my wheels on the ground.  As this current Battle of the Bands round takes place, I'm at the midway point of my annual pilgrimage back East and then back again to wacky L.A.   Perhaps though not literally "flying" I'm still metaphorically up in the air in more ways than one.  So let's just fly into this Battle with that old song from Steve Miller Band...


Trini Lopez  "Fly Like an Eagle"  (2014)

        As I do, some of you might recall Trini Lopez from his sixties hit "Lemon Tree" which was his cover of a song that had been released a few years before his version.  I don't recall hearing much about Lopez since then, but it looks like the guy is still around.  Here's his version of "Fly Like an Eagle" set against some California scenery...






Rus Reppart  "Fly Like an Eagle"  (2016)

       With a video shot in Clarksburg, WV where my father was from, Rus Reppart takes the song with an indoor shoot and some fine guitar playing.   How does this compare with Trini's version?  Take a listen and decide for yourself...





Time to Vote!

     From the desert of California to a warehouse in West Virginia we have two artists flying like eagles in the musically metaphorical sense.  Which artist 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

A I Love Music


Winner of this Battle Announced on Monday July 22

        I should be able to manage this announcement post okay despite a busy activity schedule with family.  Ain't it fun being a grandparent?  I should also have no trouble making the rounds to everyone else's Battles.  I've been mostly offline while on vacation, but I do manage an hour or so each morning before the kids get up.  But it's vacation so I'm going to just do what I can.  Hope you all are having a great summer.

         Are you anyplace special right now?   Is where you live special?  Do you wish you could actually fly like an eagle?