Watched a Film (and #BOTB Results)

My cup of ideas hath been running over, but thus far it's all just been making a mess on the table and spilling onto the floor...

        Just finished watching Federico Fellini's I Vitelloni.   This 1953 film follows a year in the lives of five male friends in their thirties.  The ones who work only do so out of necessity.   Trapped in the small town where they grew up, they spend time goofing off and dreaming about a vague future that includes wives, families, and getting away from their home town.

         What a great film!  This is the second time I've watched it in the past couple of years.  Once again I'm convinced that Fellini films are some of the best films about writers and writing you can find.  The late Italian director was a master at capturing everyday people wound up in everyday lives while dreaming of something vague and often fanciful.

         For some reason this film really spoke to me.  I could see myself in these young men.  This is the kind of film that prompts me to reflect on life and the different paths we all take.  If you have the patience for subtitled films I highly recommend this film.  Or any Fellini film for that matter.

          What can I say?  Fellini is my favorite film director.


Battle of the Bands Results

         This previous Battle between Johnny Winter and Taj Mahal did not turn out as I had expected.  To me Johnny Winter seemed like he would get the most votes because I figured his version was the one known to most.  I certainly remember Johnny Winter being very popular back in the early seventies.  I've heard Johnny's version of "Good Morning Little School Girl" so many times.  The rendition by Taj Mahal was new to me prior to compiling this Battle.

         Both artists turn out excellent performances, but I prefer the softer funkier version by Taj Mahal.  The juke joint band sound really does it for me.  The vocals are drenched with a lechery with a sense of fun.  Johnny does rock this song, but the style of Taj Mahal suits me better.

Final Vote Tally

Johnny Winter          8

Taj Mahal                12

Next Battle on Sunday October 1st

          Maybe some others will join me on my next Battle day.   We'll just have to check.  In the meantime, I might just fulfill my threat to post about something else before the next Battle.

  Have you ever had plenty to say, but just didn't feel like saying anything?   Have you watched any Fellini films (and enjoyed them)?   When have you felt like you were stuck in a holding pattern and waiting for your time to land?  

Good Morning Little School Girl (#BOTB)

      The best way to avoid controversy is to never say anything.  Of course, if you're known for being opinionated then not saying what you think can be a controversy in itself...

Private School Costume by Leg Avenue

         Halloween used to be mostly a kids' holiday when I was young.   Now adults celebrate bigger than the kids.   Adults spend billions on costumes each year.  A popular trend with younger women has been the sexy costumes.   These costumes are themed in occupational or character roles.  One of the recurring trends is the "sexy school girl" costume.  Often each costume company in the adult market will have more than one style of sexy school girl.

           What does this say about our society?  Do you dress up for Halloween?   Have you ever seen a Halloween costume that offended you?

          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 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.


Good Morning Little School Girl

      This song is among the earliest that I placed on my BOTB someday queue and now after a few years in waiting someday has arrived.  My introduction to "Good Morning Little School Girl" was the 1969 recording by blues rock group Ten Years After.  My initial intent was to use their version, however due to its length I decided to go with two shorter versions.  If you'd like to hear the Ten Years After version you can listen here, but please don't vote on this version.

      First recorded in 1937 by "Sonny Boy" Williamson with attribution to his authorship, he apparently derived the melody from an older blues song.  "School Girl" has become a blues standard and has been recorded numerous times by a wide range of artists.  When looking for cover versions I had no difficulty finding them and most of them are quite good.   Hope you enjoy the versions I have chosen for this Battle of the Bands match-up.


Johnny Winter  "Good Morning Little School Girl"  (1969)

          One of the more well-known versions of the song comes from albino rock and blues man Johnny Winter.  This hard rocking version is rooted in the traditional blues, but updated for the audiences of the hippy dippy sixties.  Get ready to boogie and bop...







Taj Mahal "Good Morning Little School Girl"  (1969)

        Taj Mahal has had an ubiquitous presence on the music scene for the past fifty years.  Not hugely popular with the masses, Taj has become a respected artist among his peers and students of blues music.  His mark has not only been left on many albums, but also in a number of film and television appearances.   Here is a loping take on the song by a legendary blues man...






Time to Vote!

        How's this pairing hit you?  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 (though this round I might be the only one):

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 

  '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 


Winner of this Battle Announced on Friday September 22

        Please check back next Friday to see which version gets the most votes.  And please make sure that your vote is included.  If I get fired up with writing between now and then I might have another post as well.  I make no promises for now.  Blogging is not conducive to promise making.