Battle of the Bands: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

          Christmas is almost here and Santa has made his ubiquitous presence known throughout much of a world who believes in him.   The guy is like a superhero--or a god.  What a power and what a universal symbol of the Christmas season.  And it's  time for my second Christmas installment of 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 and conveniently these days fall on Mondays this December.   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 

        As I did in my previous BOTB segment I'm racking my brain to figure out why the initials "JC" seem to be such an important part of Christmas.  Santa Claus is "SC" so it's not him even though he seems to have become the most iconic presence of the season.  Plenty of songs have been written about Santa.  In this Battle I offer one of the most well known--"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town".


Jo Ann Castle "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town Boogie" (1985)

      As a boy and into my teenage years I had a crush on Jo Ann Castle, the ragtime piano playing sweetie from the Lawrence Welk Show.  Yes, I will admit that I was a regular viewer of that iconic broadcast of senior citizenry and bubbly champagne music.  After all I grew up on this show that introduced me to some of my first loves--the ever charming Lennon Sisters.   Jo Ann Castle struck me even more with her effervescent personality and energetic piano playing.   I could have sworn she was flirtatiously looking right through the television screen at me in my living room.

       There's a darker side to the Jo Ann Castle story that I won't go into in this post, but you can read more by clicking on the link on her name above in the subtitle of this section.  I'd rather keep this post light and in keeping with the happy holiday spirit.   Here she is with that Christmas Santa favorite performed in her inimitable style.   You might have to watch this video if you aren't familiar with Jo Ann Castle just to get an idea of how she did what she did so well.



Cimorelli "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"  (2012)

      With six Cimorelli sisters in the line-up I figured that at least one of them would have a first name that begins with the letter "J".   I was wrong so I guess I'll cheat on this pick.   Maybe we can say that this version of  "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" is somewhat similar to an earlier version done by the Jackson 5.   Jackson Cimorelli?   Works for me.

        This is a fun video and these girls have some nice harmonies going on.  Check it out.




Time to Vote!

           Which do you prefer?  Please vote on your favorite or you might end up on Santa's naughty list.   Let us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the one 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.


‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ 

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 

 ‘DISCCONNECTED’ 

 ‘CREATIVE OUTLET OF STRATPLAYER’ 

 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Book Lover

 Alex J. Cavanaugh

           The results of my Battle will be announced on Monday December 22nd.  I'm still dealing with my travels back east to tend to the affairs related to the passing of my mother so posting at Tossing It Out will remain a bit sporadic until after Christmas.   I'm now home, but holidays and a visit by one of my daughters and her family will keep me busy I'd say.   But like the Terminator, "I'll be back". 

          Have I come up with the right "JC" Christmas connection yet?    Are you a fan of the Lawrence Welk Show?   What do you think of sibling singing groups?

Related articles

• Classic Christmas Playlist
• When Your Daughter Believes In Santa Claus But You Don't
• Top 10 at 10 - Top Ten Christmas Songs Part 1
• 6 Awesome Christmas Covers You Totally Forgot Existed
• The worst things inflicted upon human ears this Christmas

Judy, Judy, Judy--Good Night John Boy

        I'm still in a sort of blogging limbo for an indefinite period of time, but I've got my Battle of the Bands posts mostly already set up so the next one scheduled for December 15 should appear without a hitch.  Likewise I'm going to make a point to get the winner announcements on my blog.  That's what I'm here for today.

        My most recent BOTB contest put up versions of the Christmas song "White Christmas" with versions by Johnny Cash and Judy Collins.  Some readers readily made the connection between the "JC" initials and the "reason for the season", which was somewhat impressive, but not necessarily surprising knowing about many of my readers.  My next BOTB post will again be Christmas themed and will continue the "JC" theme.

The Winner Is...

        If Bing Crosby had been in the running, his version would have been the clear winner.  A couple voters insisted in voting for Bing thus negating their votes.   Neither of the recordings I used in this Battle were overwhelmingly popular so I thank voters for at least picking one of them.

         My vote nearly went to Judy Collins due to her vocal and lovely instrumental backing.  However, Johnny Cash receives my vote.   Collins's version seemed a bit cold to me--maybe appropriate for a song about snow, but not so pleasing to my ears.   Judy Collins does have a beautiful voice and the addition of the cello for the instrumental interlude nearly won me over.   In the end though Johnny got my vote for the fun sound of the arrangement and the singing and playing.  It's the version that would hold up best for me with repeated listenings.

         Bottom line though is that my vote didn't really matter.   Judy trounced Johnny with nearly twice as many votes. 

The Final Count:

Johnny Cash      9 votes

Judy Collins       17 votes

        Hope you'll be here on Monday December 15th for another Christmas themed Battle of the Bands.  This next one will be kind of unique and I think you might have fun with it.  It may even stir up a memory or two for some of you.  

         Have you got the Christmas spirit yet?   Are you expecting a white Christmas this year?   Do you prefer your Christmas songs to sound bouncy happy or melancholy peaceful?  

       

Related articles

• Let's Have a Frank Discussion About...the Perfect Christmas Song
• Left has Gone Insane: White Christmas Song Now Racist
• Why so many Christmas songs were written by Jews
• Battle of the Bands: White Christmas

Battle of the Bands: White Christmas

      Yes, it's that time again!   Christmas--can you believe another year is almost to its end?  It's also time for 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 and conveniently these days fall on Mondays this December.   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  Since we are in the holiday season, I'm going to use a song with a holiday theme for this Battle.

Johnny Cash  "White Christmas"

       When I think of Christmas I think of someone with the initials J.C.   Who could the singer be who has these initials?    Johnny Cash?   His name doesn't stand out for me as a Christmas icon, but his initials fit the bill.   With a song of the season, from one of his Christmas albums, I offer Johnny Cash's rendition of  "White Christmas". 




Judy Collins "White Christmas" (1996)

      Another J.C. could be Judy Collins.   Again, she's not someone I would associate with Christmas, but she sings the songs of the season quite beautifully.  Here she offers a version of "White Christmas" in a live performance at the amazing Biltmore Estates in Asheville, North Carolina.

Time to Vote!

           Which do you prefer?  Please vote on your favorite before heading outside to play in the snow.   Let us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the one 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.

‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ 

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 

 ‘DISCCONNECTED’ 

 ‘CREATIVE OUTLET OF STRATPLAYER’ 

 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

 Alex J. Cavanaugh

           The results of my Battle will be announced on Monday December 8th.  I'm still dealing with my travels back east to tend to the affairs related to the passing of my mother so posting at Tossing It Out may remain a bit iffy on my blog as internet time has not been as easy to find as it is when I'm at home just living my normal life. 

          Cash got too much twang for you?   Is Collins too much of a bore?   Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?

Related articles

• House of Cash
• Christmas All Through The South by Southern Living ( THE gift to give this season!)
• Enjoy Beautiful Asheville with Wilson as Your Very Special Tour Guide
• Part III: The Biltmore, Asheville, North Carolina, USA