BOTB September 2024 - Results

 

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to listen and cast a vote on my latest Battle of the Bands! Since the song was practically written for Frank Sinatra, the outcome could have been a no-brainer had I used anyone sounding closer to the famous crooner than the contender I chose. Funny how those things go…I’m learning ;-)  And while Curtis Stigers wasn’t half bad, it seems Emmy had just the right touch to gently bend a slightly leaning lead into an astonishing draw. No losers here - I’m jazzed!    

Contenders                                                      Song(s)                         Votes

Emmy Rossum                                  The Summer Wind                       5  (Including mine)

Curtis Stigers                                    The Summer Wind                       5

 

Recorded in 1966, this signature song by Frank Sinatra charted at #1 on the Easy Listening Chart that same year and was still being played as part of his regular concert performances in 1986. He and Julio Iglesias performed an impressive duet of the song in 1993.

Since the full Harvest Moon this month is only two days after, I’ll be back on the 15^th with a couple of songs about one of my very favorite occasions ;-) Care to join me?

 

 

BOTB June 2024 - Results

 

Battle Name:             June 2024

Song:                          Summer Breeze  (Seals and Crofts)

Contenders and Tallies:

                                    Johnny Mathis                = 5 votes

                                    Jason Mraz                     = 2 votes

Many thanks to everyone who stopped by to vote on one of my favorite summer songs! While My For the Birds battles are not quite officially over, I couldn't resist a little summer celebration ;-) 

Other battle results are probably available (I’m a slowpoke) at the links located in the top right column of this page.

Don't forget the Sunscreen...

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there!  See you on the 1st of July!

 

BOTB May 2024 - Results

 

Hello, Everyone!

 Many thanks to all who participated in my “Here Comes the Sun” Battle of the Bands for May! Here are the results:

 

Richie Havens    Votes = 5 + 1 (me)

Sheryl Crow          Votes =3

 

 

Quotes:

“Don’t you love the Oxford dictionary? When I first read it,

I thought it was a really, really long poem about everything.”

~ David Bowie

 

Fun Facts:

“Happy Birthday” is the most profitable song of all time!

Billie Holiday was Billy Crystal’s babysitter.

 

And, Just For Fun:

Happy month of May, everyone!

BOTB - May 2024 Here Comes the Sun

 

Hey, hi! Glad you stopped by ;-)

The Battle of The Bands (BOTB) is your basic Which-do-you-like-best contest, where the one that gets the most votes wins. All you have to do is show up (the 1^st and/or 15^th of every month), give a listen, and cast your vote in the comment section. Votes will be tallied, and the winner will be revealed on or about 8 days later.

It has come to my attention (thank you, Stephen T.!) that in all the busyness of “best-laid plans” for a quick trip to the mountains last month, I forgot to post the results of my last battle!  I apologize, my friends. If not for all of you, your votes, and thoughtful comments, there’d be nothing but static echoes of stony silence here, at Landmark Sounds, and I sure wouldn’t want that. So, here’s how it all went down:

The song was “Every Kinda People.” The contenders were the jiving Mint Juleps, who garnered a single vote (though not for lack of talent or trying), and Britain’s own sharp-dressed man, Robert Palmer, who easily snagged seven votes (including mine) for the win. Thank you all for playing along!

Now, about today: Hey, hi! Happy May! In honor of summer actually showing signs of showing up, my song choice for this battle was written by George Harrison in 1969 after he too, must have experienced a long winter ;-) As the story goes, he used Eric Clapton’s guitar and “magical” inspiration provided by Clapton’s sunny garden ;-)

Song title:   “Here Comes the Sun”

Contender #1   Sheryl Crow

Contender #2   Richie Havens

There you have it, folks! Which do you like best? And how come? Let me know in the comment section below. Oh! And, before you go, hop around and see the rest of today’s battles (participating sites are located in the top right sidebar of this page)

BOTB Take Two - Results and February Battle

 

Hello friends! If you’re thinking “It’s about time she showed back up,” I don’t blame you. And I bet you’re just as excited to know the results of my latest “For the Birds” battle as I am to tell you, so I’ll get right to it.

Contenders                                           Songs                                                 Votes

Little Jimmy Dickens                         The Bird of Paradise                          2

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan       The Tennessee Bird Walk                  5 (including mine)

Both songs were greatest hits for the song artists in 1965 and 1970, each climbing to #1 on the Country Billboard Charts and hanging out there for at least a couple of weeks before languishing at #15 or so for at least a couple more.

The Tennessee Bird Walk song has made me giggle since the first time I heard it. Some have dubbed the lyrics “Genius,” while I just think they’re hilarious. Can’t go wrong with laughter, right?

I’ve not actually been to Tennessee, though I’m sure I’ve driven through the state more than once. I planned on maybe going back on purpose one day to see some of the many “sights of interest” while visiting my brothers, who live in neighboring states, and my Mom, who lived in TN until she passed away last Thursday. Since then, I feel like I’ve been fumbling around in the dark for a light switch. A good friend shared much-appreciated comfort along these lines: “Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed and held so dear.” ~ Unknown

The message in this song says to me what I found so hard to say aloud.

After a couple of last-minute updates, my February Battle of the Bands includes two versions of a beautiful song called "Songbird," written by the late, great Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac. 

There you have it, folks! Which do you like best? And how come? Let me know in the comment section below. Oh! And, before you go, hop around and see the rest of today’s battles (participating sites are located in the top right sidebar of this page)

 Happy February!

BOTB January 2024 - Results

 

Hello, everyone! I sure hope it's warmer where you are than it is here in the normally comfortably warm desert. I've given up hope that we'll make it to 50 degrees today and will probably wear a jacket till bedtime. On a brighter note, I know we aren't the only region experiencing winter temperatures, and for once, I can relate. It is, after all, Winter in America. Be safe out there, folks.

Of course, I probably brought this icicle weather on myself, bringing up the Snowbird like I did. But how about that battle? Didn't you just love the contenders? Here's how the ice chips shivered out:

Song:        SNOWBIRD                                                             Votes:

Artist        Anne Murray                                                            6 + 1 = 7

Artist        Burl Ives                                                                               1

Artist        Elvis Presley                                                                         1

Thank you, one and all - once again - for coming around to cast your vote! Don't forget to see how the other battles turned out (top right of this page). That's where I'm headed next. Sharing a little sunshine below.   See you all soon!

BOTB December 2023 Results

 

Many thanks to all of you who came around and voted in my For the Birds Battle. This outcome was as surprising as the last, but in a more positive way. It was not a shutout; no one was left pecking the ground dejectedly ;-) Here’s how it all went down:

 

Christmas is for the Birds             Conway Twitty          1 Vote 

The Twelve Days of Christmas    5^th Grade Teachers     2 Votes

The Gift                                      Aselin Debison              4 Votes  

Merry Christmas, everyone! I'll see ya back here next year as long as they can keep a plug in the jug down south of common sense.