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I'm back for my sixth installment of Battle of the Bands. Sorry a little late in the day for the post. Here is how it works:
Listen to the song clips in the blog post. In the comment section vote for the one you like the best. Feel free to explain why you voted the way you did. The battles take place on the first and 15th and winners will be announced on the 7th and 21st. I will normally post the winner in the comments. Of course have fun and enjoy!
If you are still looking for more musical fun after you vote, you can check out these sites for more battles:
Alex J. Cavanaugh
This round song:
"Train Kept A-Rollin'" by Tiny Bradshaw. I actually was able to get the original version this time!
It is October and some have referred to the month as "Rocktober" and with that in mind I present the contestants,
The Yardbirds
VS
Aerosmith
Why this song?
Rock lore has this song as the first song Led Zeppelin performed together. Personally it was one of the songs I searched out after being turned onto Led Zeppelin and seeing where they came from and who their influences were. It also introduced me to the playing of Jeff Beck.
Listen, enjoy, vote in the comments. Visit the other blogs. Come back and visit!
8 comments:
MIKE ~
I'll start by saying so far this is my very favorite 'BOTB' contest you've put together. It's a great song and you've matched up worthy versions of it.
I had never heard the Tiny Bradshaw version before but I really liked it. Love that R&B style of it with the honking saxophone. Man, that type of music is near and dear to my heart.
I'd heard the Yardbirds version before and it's not bad. It's got a good chunky rhythm to it, but they're playing it a little loose (dare I say "a tad sloppy"?) for my tastes. I'm not crazy about the dual lead vocals, which makes it all sound a bit too "garage" to really WOW me.
Then we get to Aerosmith. In my teen years I was a fan of the band but eventually lost interest after 1977 (dare I say I "outgrew" them?) BUT... there are still 3 Aerosmith songs that I LOVE to this day, and 'Train Kept A-Rollin' is probably at the very top of that 3-song list.
Years ago some of us participated in a Blogfest where you had to list your 'Top Ten Favorite Driving & Top Ten Favorite Drinking Songs'. There was absolutely zero question that Aerosmith's version of 'TRAIN...' had to be included on my 'Top Ten Favorite Driving Songs' list! I dug it then and I dig it just as much today.
Man, that rockin' rhythm and that high-energy approach to it... THAT simply can't be beat. That is some serious "pedal to the metal" music!
On FAE's "Battle" yesterday I voted AGAINST Aerosmith on their song 'Sweet Emotion'. This time, however, I am making it up to them by voting for their version of 'TRAIN...'.
Tiny Bradshaw's original definitely gave them a little run for their money (I loves me a honkin' saxophone!) but this one was never really in doubt.
Excellent 'Battle' here, MIKE! Your very best one so far, in my op.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Mike~
Before I get into the music commentary, I want to take a minute to say a couple of things. One, I am still sick and I think that will affect my vote. My migraine is thumping and my sinuses are clogged. And I think I'm running a fever. So, not the best day.
Second, I agree with Stephen T. McCarthy in that this is your best battle to date. The musical selections were very diverse and all of the recordings were good (no live performance with lousy audio). That is great! Thank you!!!
I am not sure if the original by Tiny Bradshaw is in the running in this battle OR if you just posted it to give us the original for comparison. If I can vote for it, I will. I really loved that version best of all.
If the contest is between The Yardbirds and Aerosmith... disregard my vote for Tiny Bradshaw.
I think on a better day I would have liked the Aerosmith version more. Today, it just pounded in time to my migraine. Not good. But, I can understand why StMc loves it so much and considers it a great driving song. It MOVES. Just too much for me on a day like today. :(
The Yardbirds also sounded completely different from the original. The guitar work was more appealing to this sick girl and the vocals were not as harsh to my ear. StMC may be right in that it has a garage band sound, but I rather like it. Or at least I do today!
So, Tiny Bradsaw if he is in the running. The Yardbirds if he isn't.
Great battle!
To my way of thinking, the best BATTLES are the ones that have at least some diversity and it's difficult for me to chose. This IS a great BATTLE. All three versions of this tune are worthy of winning and I personally like each one for different reasons.
BUT, for my personal taste it's Aerosmith all the way, baby.
Never heard the original. Can't say I love it, but it's interesting to hear.
Aerosmith does a fine job with their interpretation of this song, but it's a bit too slick and Aerosmithy for me which is what their fans want, but that doesn't sway me.
The Yardbirds version is the first one I ever heard. I think it was used in a film (Blow-up maybe?). In any case I've always like their version. It has a lot of drive and chugga chugga. Simple back to roots sound is the treatment this song deserves.
Lee
Tossing It Out
OK first I love the original and would pick that one but I noticed you do not have a "vs" inbetween that and the Yardbirds. When I listened to the Yardbirds at first, I didn't like the 2 vocals together. It almost seemed as if they were drunk or high (could be the case) and they played this song but were a little loosey goosey. I then heard the 2nd one and it seemed more professional and the guitar was excellent but it almost seemed to polished for me. To tell you the truth I can't quite recall the Aerosmoth version but The Yardbirds I can! The guitar is amazing and it in its primitive manner I feel it stands out more so the Yardbirds it is
Great song and 3 strong versions. I like the jumping original -- it's fun and the lyrics are clearest and it's got a great vibe.
But it's also hard not to really like Jeff Beck's playing on the Yardbirds version. But Keith Relf's double-tracked vocals are distracting and borderline annoying -- he's not even singing the same thing at some places. It unfortunately offsets the huge upside of Beck's guitar.
I was a big fan of Aerosmith back in the mid-70's and "Get Your Wings" was the album that first pulled me in. It's probably still my favorite, and a big reason was their version of this song, followed by it melding into "Seasons of Wither". Truthfully, I must admit it doesn't hold up as well as I remember my 14-year old self liking it, but it still packs a heck of a punch and brings a smile to my face.
So perhaps a little swayed by personal nostalgia, I vote for Aerosmith.
I like Aerosmith's sound better on this. A little dirtier than The Yardbirds, and the song calls for it. I'll go with Aerosmith.
John Holton
The Sound Of One Hand Typing
I usually abstain from voting but I will vote on this one. Aerosmith does a great version and leads 4-3 without my vote. However, I have to vote for The Yardbirds if for nothing else it was my gateway song to Jeff Beck. So its a tie!
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