Tuesday, November 29, 2016

15 Years Gone: George Harrison

Hard to believe it has been 15 years since George Harrison passed away. It has been three years since the last time I marked his passing. Time goes by and "All Things Must Pass"


I know I might be repeating some songs but at least I am trying to mix up the versions. The tour I wanted to see was George with Eric Clapton but it never went state side.Below they perform "Something"...


The Beatles "Here Comes the Sun"


George Harrison "Dark Horse"


I will be back again soon with a new post!

Monday, November 28, 2016

A Crazy Fall

Life gets crazy for anyone and I am no exception. Sometimes it feels like my life is crazy all the time but lately it has been crazier than normal. Perhaps hectic would be a better choice, it could easily be substituted for crazy in this paragraph. Maybe it is both.

In September my Mom had some serious heath issues. This month I had to go across the Country for a wedding. Next month my wife will have to go to Texas because her dad is having serious health issues. In between I had car issues and of course the Holidays come rolling in.

Not looking for sympathy just being real. I've read some blogs lately that have shared things and I liked that. It makes you feel like your not alone but human. I also think to share with your readers keeps it honest.

I don't want to go into details on the health issues, but they happen to people when they get older. Of course I am getting older so I tend to ponder is that what I get to look forward to?

Well there is a quick view into my Crazy Fall














Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Battle of the Bands Winner: Ray Charles



There are many reasons Ray Charles is a legend. One of those reasons now include winning one of my Battle of the Bands contest. I tried to make Ray nervous pitting him against a Grammy Award winner, but Ray Charles didn't see any competition at all!

Christina Aguilera finally found out how it feels to be voted off the Battle of the Bands like so many singers on the Voice. Meanwhile her partner in this competition Herbie Hancock could only wonder what went wrong and what could have been if this was truly "A Song for You." The picture below says it all.

Image result for Herbie Hancock 

The results were 7 to 4 in favor of Brother Ray.

Ray Charles told the competition to "Hit The Road Jack"


Ray believed "It Shoulda Been Me" and the vote
rs agreed..

Ray Charles reportedly celebrated by "Shaking A Tail Feather"


When asked about the victory Ray told me to "Say No More"


Well that's it for the November Battle of the Bands I hope you enjoyed and I invite you to come back December first for a new Battle! 

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

R.I.P. Holly Dunn

November has not been a good month for singer songwriters. This time around Holly Dunn who had eight top ten singles has passed away at the age of 59. She lost her battle with cancer.

She is probably best known for this song that peaked at number seven on the Country charts "Daddy's Hands"..


Dunn had two singles that topped the Country Charts. This one called "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me"


The other number one was "You Really Had Me Going"...


Dunn had retired from music to devote more time for her other passion art. She is an artist who will be missed.

Battle of the Bands:Grammy Winner Vs Grammy Winner, A Song for You



Welcome back to my Battle of the Bands. Unfortunately musicians have been passing away quit frequently this month. My inspiration for this Battle comes from one of those recent deaths. I already wrote the tribute this is just a little more.



The Song: A Song For You


Contestant One: Herbie Hancock and Christina Aguilera


Contestant Two: Ray Charles


The great Leon Russell passed away over the weekend. "A Song for You" had been covered by a lot of artists so it was a great fit for this Battle of the Bands. Vote in the comments. I'll announce the winner soon. Like this Battle and want more? Check out the list of other Battles at this blog. I will be back with a new post soon!

Sunday, November 13, 2016

R.I.P Leon Russell

I was considering going to see Leon Russell on Tuesday at the local music club, I missed him the last time he was in town. He was scheduled to open for a group I was interested in seeing in January. So, I thought I had a couple of chances to catch him. Now I will never get catch him live as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame passed away at the age of 74.

The songs he left behind are the greatest gift the songwriter could leave. Amazingly over 100 acts have covered his song "A Song For You." As I listen it to it now I find it just as haunting as I find it beautiful.


One of his own hits "Lady Blue"..


"Tight Rope" was another hit...


I guess "Good Time Charlie's got the Blues"..


What's your favorite Leon Russell song? Do you have a memory? Feel free to share in the comments. Leon Russell may you R.I.P. 

Friday, November 11, 2016

R.I.P Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen was a true artist and he has passed away at the age of 82. His songwriting made him legendary, his musicianship allowed him to make his songs come alive, and his novels and paintings unleashed more creativity.

He has been inducted in both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame. His talents also landed him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was also honored with the Companion Order of Canada.

One of his latest songs "You Want it Darker"...


He has won numerous awards for his music including several JUNO Awards and a couple of Grammy Awards, His writing also has been recognized with a few awards.

"In My Secret Place"


"Everybody Knows"


"Hallelujah"


May he rest in peace

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

BOTB Results:The Fun Election Results

In this first episode of Battle of the Bands Overtime, I took a song that was featured in a previous Battle of the Bands battle that ended in a tie. The song was "Willin'" by Little Feat. I changed the contestants and this time I had a decisive victory. Linda Ronstadt beat Steve Earle 9 to 2.

So to celebrate here is more Linda..."Blue Bayou"



A nice duet with Aaron Neville..


Her number one hit "You're no good"...



Well I will be back with a new post soon!

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Cubs win the curse is over!

108 years is a long time to wait for a World Series Championship. The wait is over, the Chicago Cubs are the 2016 World Series Champs. It is fitting that the series went seven games and was decided in extra innings. Fans even had to wait though a rain delay.

The Cleveland Indians were a worthy opponent. It is probably a good thing the series is limited to seven games as winter was probably knocking on the door to both cities.

Interesting connections:

Addison Russell's hometown is the same town I live in. Russell plays for the Cubs and now will be receiving a World Series ring.


Here is his Grand Slam...


Ben Zobrist I met when he was in the minor leagues and he did something very cool for my stepson. Zobrist ended up being the World Series MVP!

His game winning hit in game seven...


Highlights in general:

Game 7:


Game 6:


Game 5: 


Game 4:


Game 3:


Game 2:


Game 1:


Well baseball is over until Spring Training! Congrats to the Cubs!

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Battle of the Bands: Willin' for Overtime

Rocktober was fun! Now a new month is here. You might think I would be moving into something new, but no my Battle of the Bands has some unfinished business.



Back on September 15th,  I paired The Back Crowes against The Byrds. The song was Little Feat's Willin' and the results were a tie.

Groovy live track for reference...


It's time to break the tie! It is overtime! First up we have a singer that  has covered this song so well some people think it is her song. Second is perhaps the next best known cover of the song. The genres get blurred in this one..

  Contestant One: Linda Ronsdstadt


Contestant Two: Steve Earle


The fun election is here so listen, choose and vote in the comments!