Masquerade ( #BOTB )

       I usually don't say things just to piss people off, but I say them to express my opinion.  A lot of times that opinion just pisses people off...


        Recently I saw the following meme on Facebook.  Not only did the sentiments resonate with me, but it also cried out, "Battle of the Bands"!!  September 15th is what I'm saying...

         When I saw this meme I immediately shared it on my own page.  Generally speaking, my posts on Facebook or Twitter tend to go seemingly unnoticed, but there are a few topics that seem raise the hackles of those who are passionate about certain topics.  This post was one of those, though still not any huge response.  One such respondent was a guy that I haven't seen or spoken to in about forty years.  And I've had similar online encounters.

        There was the long time friend who "unfriended" me on Facebook because of a difference in political beliefs.  Before doing so he privately messaged me to tell me of his disappointment in how much I had changed over the years. All his message revealed was that he never knew me very well if he thought I had changed as what I believe now is pretty much what I believed 40+ years ago when we used to hang around sometimes.  What I didn't bother to remind him of is that over the many years we only spoke every 2 or 3 years by telephone or when I stopped in to visit him when I was in Tennessee.  He never once called me like some of my real friends do--it was always me calling him.

         But getting back to face masks, in our time this has become one of the most divisive issues not only in the United States, but the world.  I've tried reasoning with some using logic, but usually the Maskers are passionate and unwavering about their beliefs.  They cite "science" just as the Climate Change Hysterics do.  As I pointed out in my A to Z post "Science Is Speaking",  this is a poorly framed argument since science is a field comprised of many studies, many scientists, and many points of view.  "Science" is saying nothing, but people without strong arguments like to hide behind the veil of the concept of science thinking it somehow lends credibility to a rather flimsy argument.

        So if science doesn't convince anybody then maybe some cliched slogan will do the trick.  "Wearing Is Caring" or some such drivel might make a nice play on the emotions of some, but, sorry, it just doesn't tug on my heartstrings.  My sense of logic tells me something different.

         Please don't get all upset with me and click away from my Battle of the Bands segment.  Ignore my opinion if you don't like it. Or express your own in the comment section--I've most likely heard your argument, but I'll listen one more time and if you are truly convincing then I might perk my ears a bit to listen more.  But don't get mad or unfollow me or whatever people in social media times do.  I'm just expressing myself and offering you the option to do the same.

           Besides, I'm tired of the bickering, the lecturing, and the effusion of emotions that people keep gushing out.  If you've got something that beats the logic then let us hear it.  Not sure what that would be, but I enjoy discussion.  I think I'm pretty civil about discussions, but these days disagreement sometimes seems to be an uncivil offense.

This masquerade?  (photo source)

     
Hopefully if you were able to get this far then you'll continue on to what I think is a pretty decent...

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 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.



Leon Russell   "This Masquerade"  (1972)

         When Russell's Carny album came out I was not initially won over.  For me it was mainly the vocal style that turned me off.  However, once I'd become accustomed to the vocals, having already been won over by the top-notch song-crafting and musical production, the album became a favorite of mine.  In succeeding years "This Masquerade" became an oft performed and recorded musical standard with a high point coming in George Benson's outstanding version.

        Typically I'd be offering an original as merely an introduction to the song for those not familiar with it.  The traditional wisdom of these Battles is not to use an original version and ask that blog visitors not vote for it and only listen.  In this case, I think some listeners might react as I did decades ago and not care for what they hear.  Therefore, I'm not going to discourage voting for this version since I don't know that it would sweep the other contestants out of the running.  This version is here for you to consider.  You can just ignore it or you can listen and consider it in the voting.  Your choice...





Carpenters   "This Masquerade"  (1973)

       I'm sure I've heard this version, but I did not recall it as I was compiling this Battle.  But it's the Carpenters and who doesn't like the Carpenters.  Many of Russell's songs seem to be a good fit for Karen's beautiful voice.  She does a wonderful job with this song...







George Benson   "This Masquerade"  (1976)

         The version by Benson grabbed my attention when it came out and, soon after, I bought the album the song appeared on.  In fact, during the eighties I became a fairly avid George Benson fan.  The guy could not only play a decent guitar, his singing wasn't bad either...

         








Time to Vote!
        
           Don't hide behind a mask!  Let your opinion be heard!  Which song do you prefer?   Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind.  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

 ‘Storms and Stardust’ 

  '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 

A I Love Music


Winner of this Battle Announced on Tuesday September 22nd
   
        One way or another I should be here on that date to announce the voting results of this Battle.  In the meantime I'll probably just lay low in my house most of the time so I don't feel obligated to wear what I consider a mostly useless mask.  That's my opinion based on well-reasoned logic.  Besides, I don't guess I need to be going anywhere anyway.  Except the grocery store now and then and then I'll wear my mask.  

Did the Best Man Win? ( #BOTB Results )

I'm not much for saying whether something is "the best" because that's an opinion. I might be able to say what's best according to my taste and even then that can change from one moment to the next...

Anybody playing games during these China Virus days?  

Battle of the Bands Results



        My most recent Battle included recordings of three different songs by three different groups.  All songs were statements regarding being a man.  Two are pretty much rock classics while the other is by a group with which most of you were unfamiliar.  The two more familiar songs both carried the title "I'm a Man" and were performed by The Yardbirds and Spencer Davis Group.  The third by a mostly unknown group called The Illusion was a song that I had always mistakenly thought was called "I'm a Man" though the actual title is just "Man".  Since I've owned their album on vinyl since 1970 I probably should have realized my mistake, but I guess I just never paid attention to what is on the album cover.

         My inspiration for this Battle was because I wanted to introduce readers to this latter group which I think is quite good.  I only base my opinion on this one album since I've never heard their two earlier albums.  The Illusion album If It's So is just that good in my opinion and opinions are what these BOTB installments are all about. 

          Considering my inspiration for the Battle I think it's probably pretty easy for you to discern that my choice in this Battle was the song by The Illusion.  I like all three songs a great deal, but I just think The Illusion's "Man" is a bit of a rock and roll tour de force. Stephen suggest that  their song was "self-indulgent...overly long and jammy" but that's part of why I like it.  As always, and as it's meant to be, BOTB is an exercise in musical preferences and opinions.  That's what makes it tick!

         If The Illusion hadn't been in the mix then I'd have chosen The Yardbirds with it's psychedelic rave sound.  Still, the Spencer Davis Group song is a good one in my book.  Aside from a low showing of support for The Yardbirds, this contest was a tight race.  That's the kind of Battle I like to see.

Final Vote Tally

The Yardbirds                    2 votes

Spencer Davis Group        6 votes

The Illusion                       8 votes



Next Battle on Saturday August 15th

         Hope you stop by to vote for that one.   Weather has cooled down a bit recently here in Los Angeles which is good for my A/C bill.  And since about all we do is stay home, it's nice to be comfortable and not sweltering.   Now if I could only go places and not have to wear a ridiculous mask.   I'll just leave it at that, but you are welcome to leave your thoughts if you want to.  Hey, a lot of us don't have much else to do these days but sit around and think...

Take Your Mask and Shove It! ( #BOTB results )

       Okay everybody!  Comply!  Wear your masks!  Stand in lines!  Keep your distances!  Forfeit your humanity!   Listen and obey!   The New World of the Future is coming for you!


Take Your Mask and Shove It!

Traditional Tragedy and Comedy Masks

        Ugh!  I'm uncomfortable having to wear those crazy face masks--not just physically, but mentally.  Something's not right here.  Looking around at all of the other folks in masks I am a bit disturbed.  Where exactly is this all going if we stay with this trend?  What will be next?

          You might be the compliant type who insists that everyone should be wearing a mask.  I say go ahead and wear yours if you wish.  Or better yet just quarantine yourself in your locked down house and wait until the world is a totally safe place for you.  Enjoy your wait.  As long as the power and water stay on you might be okay.

         About these masks though...

          After reading an article recently, I was reminded of something I had heard about a few years ago.  The word "hypocrite" comes from a Greek root word that refers to someone who is a fake, a cheat, or a liar which is based on the stage actors of ancient Greek theater who wore masks instead of showing their true faces.

           This article discussed how much we rely on facial expressions to provide some indication of the intent or emotion of another person.  As humans--as well as many animals--we use the outward appearance of a person to read what that person might be thinking which in turn might help us determine their potential action in a certain situation.  A mask covers that up.  It's not only difficult to read another person who is wearing a mask, but sometimes it's hard to even recognize who they are.

           Shades of masquerades!   Or perhaps banditry? 

           So today we accept mask wearing as a norm and even a requirement.  So how about another practical solution to maintaining order in society?  Maybe some kind of mark or number on each of us?  What a great idea!  No more ID cards needed and all of the information about each of us encoded in a mark that can be read by a scanning device.  The fast track solution to getting through security checks and moving easily about society.  Much easier than a mask too--you can breath better and it doesn't hide your face.

            If you don't mind the mask then the world government mark will be a breeze for you.  How about it?  Are you ready to accept that as well?


Battle of the Bands Results

        This recent Battle of the Bands contest between Dorris Henderson and Melody Gardot performing the traditional work song "No More My Lord" was one that I went back and forth on.  The guitar work in the Henderson version was appealing to me, but I preferred the vocals on Gardot's version.  The delivery of the Melody Gardot version was more entertaining and listenable in my estimation so that is the one I settled my vote on.

        At the outset it looked like Dorris Henderson was going to run away with the win, which she did, but in the end Melody didn't have too bad of a showing.


Final Vote Tally

Dorris Henderson        11

Melody Gardot              8



Next Battle on Monday June 1st

         Hard to believe that summer is almost here again.  For now I'll plan on doing this next Battle, but a break might still be in the cards for me.  Come back on June 1st for the Battle and maybe something else...

Do you have any special summer plans?  Or have you put plans on hold to see what is going to happen with the pandemic scam?   I'm not saying that the COVID disease isn't real, but the response to it is indeed a scam.  Have you figured that out yet?  If you don't think it's a scam then are you ready for that identification mark?