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Happy New Year!
There's something sad about New Years Day--or maybe melancholy is the better word. That's how I see it at least. It's another year of life gone by with a new one looming ahead. When I was much younger that old year seemed like a lifetime, but now I have a lifetime of many years that now seemed to have passed much too swiftly.
Those many many years ago I saw the future as an unfathomable distance in time. Now the future is an unknowable destiny that could be reached tomorrow or in still many more years. I'd like to think the latter is the case. Ten, twenty, eighty more years--I'll take what I get and only hope that I have used them wisely.
And so at hand we have yet another year ahead of us. It's a new year now, but it's getting older with each moment that passes. So what about you this year? What's new?
Battle of the Bands
Another year has come to an end which brings us to the start of another month which means it's time for another Battle of the Bands, the blogging event first introduced by our friends at Far Away Series and StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands. This event happens twice each month on the 1st and 15th. 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.
Here's the song for this round:
"What's New?"
Originally composed and recorded in 1938 as an instrumental called "I'm Free" for Bob Crosby's Orchestra (click the link if you're curious to hear this version), the song title was changed to "What's New" when the lyrics were added the following year. The song has since been recorded by many. My Battle pits an early version with a female vocalist against a later version also featuring a female vocalist. It's a bit of old and new with the song "What's New?"
Artie Shaw with Helen Forrest "What's New?" (1939)
Here's one of the early renditions of the song with a female vocalist. It's upbeat, but still to me there's a sadness to this. For one thing the melody has a bit of a sad sound and the lyrics are a bit poignant. Then again it just might be that the song is an old one--can you believe over 75 years? It's many yesterdays ago. Still it's nice to hear again.
Linda Ronstadt "What's New" (1983)
Some 44 years after the previous recording came Linda Ronstadt with her genre changing album backed by Nelson Riddle's orchestra. I think she was at the top of her game with this exquisite release. She puts a classic touch on some of the classics of pop music. After this came out I purchased a copy on cassette. Ronstadt's album was a regular in my listening rotation back in the mid-80's. Now enjoy and compare to the first version.
Time to Vote!
This is nothing new to most of you, but if you're visiting a Battle of the Band post for the first time then let me briefly explain. Please give each song version a fair listen to decide which version you prefer over the other. If you don't like either then at least tell us which recording was least innocuous to you. This comes down to your preference and it's as easy as that.
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:
‘FAR AWAY SERIES’
StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
'Curious as a Cathy'
Sound of One Hand Typing
DC Relief Battle of the Bands
The Doglady's Den
Angel's Bark
Cherdo on the Flipside
Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Janie Junebug Righting & Editing.
Book Lover
J. A. Scott
Quiet Laughter
Holli's Hoots and Hollers
NovelBrews
Be ReInVintaged
Results on Friday January 8th
It's vacation time right now, but I should have a week to catch up and get back to a norm of sorts. Since I'm traveling right now I might be a bit slow getting to your posts so bear with me. I've got lots planned for January including another blockbuster combo post for the next Battle of the Bands on the 15th. At that time not only will I be participating in the Backstage Blogathon, but I'll be presenting a song that corresponds to my movie pick. Click the link if you want more info about the Backstage Blogathon.
