Battle of the Bands: We have a winner for the Summertime Blues

Oh if I AJ only had one more vote I could be looking for two more versions of Summertime Blues stretching summer into September.  Brian Setzer wins a close one getting four votes to three. Now I have to think of something different. Well in the meantime we might as well celebrate the winner.

Here he is strutting around with that "Stray Cat Strut"

My battles create "One Rockin' Night"..

and with Jeff Beck..

Well until tomorrow  enjoy!

R.I.P Robin Leach

Robin Leach the host of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" past away this month just shy of 77.

                                           Leach on "humans being curious"

                                     
                                           Here is a clip he did on Madonna...
                                             

May the man who brought us "champagne wishes and caviar dreams" rest in peace.

                                             

R.I.P Lazy Lester

 Back at the end of April I spent the day at Jazz Fest (New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival). It was hot and the sun was blazing like it does on a lot of Spring and Summer days.  I  had ducked into the Blues Tent and Kenny Neal was playing and he is always worth catching. Anyway during his set he brought out a couple of special guests, one was the then 84 year old blues singer and harmonica master Lazy Lester. In the 50s Lester had recorded with blues legends such as Slim Harpo and Lightnin' Hopkins. Obviously he had his own recording career as well. I was able to witness him on stage just by chance a few months ago. Yesterday, Lazy Lester passed away at the age of 85. The picture is one I snapped.

Here is some vintage Lester from 1958 "Sugar Coated Love"

Here is Lazy Lester with Jimmie Vaughan and Johnny Nicholas with "Blues Stop Knockin' at my Door"

Here he is with Slim Harpo  "My Home is a Prison"

"They Call Me Lazy"

I am glad I got to catch him. May he is rest in peace.

Monday's Music Moves Me: Freebie Monday Songs

It's been nearly a month since I did a Monday's Music Moves Me post. I misplaced my dancing shoes and I think I can come up with something. After all it is a freebie week so I can pick my own theme.

I'm going to pick Monday Songs and let's go!

I hope today isn't just another "Manic Monday"....

The Bangles starting us off.  But maybe it will be a "Blue Monday" as suggested by New Order...

The Mamas and Papas "Monday, Monday" well yes it is..

Jimmy Buffett has some Monday plans with "Come Monday"..

The Carpenters singing about "Rainy Days and Mondays"...

 
Sometimes those are one in the same. T-Bone Walker sang "Just Call it Stormy Monday"

                     
Well stay dry, keep your Monday under control and no matter what color your Monday is remember it is better with music. Please check out the rest of the 4m blogs here.

R.I.P Aretha Franklin

"Hey nineteen
That's 'Retha Franklin
She don't remember the Queen of Soul"  

Walter Becker /Donald Fagen

I open my blog with words from an old song the reference the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. If you haven't heard the news she passed away today. Back in May I featured her in my Battle of the Bands with her cover of "The Thrill is Gone." Maybe it was disrespectful to have her face off with B.B. King on that number. 

I enjoy both versions. Franklin's voice certainly puts a different spin on the song.  Today I celebrate the music of the Queen. I will give her quite a bit of "Respect."

Here she is feeling like a "Natural Woman"

Can you feel the "Spirit in the Dark"

Here is a hit from my teen years...

So many songs, so many collaborations, and such a legacy. May she rest in peace.

Battle of the Bands: Summertime Blues Part 2

The layout on this battle of the bands is going to be pretty basic. I am doing this post on my phone so I appologize if I have more typos than normal. Besides the thunderstorms knocking the wi fi out on my laptop, I have also managed to crack the screen. Talk about the Summertime Blues. Anyway I am sticking with the same song as last time since the results ended in a tie. Maybe we will have a winner this time but that is up to your votes in the comments.

Opponent One: Alan Jackson

Opponent Two: Brian Setzer

I think these two are about as far from Blue Cheer or The Who that I could get. Let me know what version you like in the comments and I will have the results later this month.

Battle of the Bands Results:All tied up!

The votes came in three for Blue Cheer and three for The Who. No winners, no loser just a tie. School starts and the dog days of summer are in mid stride. Talk about a case of the summer time blues. Nothing left to do but celebrate both.

                                          Blue Cheer with "Peace of Mind"

                                                  The Who with "Baba O'Riley"

                                           

Find out who will win my next Battle. Will it be a shut out, a close battle or a tie? My next Battle will be August 15, 2018.