This blog spot is the home to my ramblings. I am a free lance writer. Most of my work goes on Associated Content. Sometimes I write what is on my mind, sometimes I plug some of my writing, and sometimes a combination of the two. So, sit back read, enjoy, and we will see where it goes.
I am keeping my Battle of the Bands posts separate from my A to Z posts this year. This one certainly compliments my A to Z theme. This time I move genres from jazz to early Rock and Roll. Maybe it is my April Fools prank for this year, but I am changing up the Battle of the Bands format this go around. Instead of sharing the original and two challengers I am going to go with the original versus the famous version. Most of us are doing the other challenge anyway so this one will be short and sweet.
Contender One: The Original
Bobby Charles "Later, Alligator"
Contender Two: The Famous One
Bill Haley and his Comets
I may have some new readers so I will briefly go over how this works. You listen to both songs and you tell me which one you like the best in the comments. In a week or so I count up the votes (your comments) like kids counting Easter Eggs and announce the winner in another post. It is easy and hopefully fun!
Interesting tidbit the title of the song changes a bit on the first one it is "Later, Alligator" and on the second one it is "See You Later, Alligator."
Photo by me at Alligator Alley in Summerdale, Alabama.
I'm going to do something different for my A to Z Challenge. This year I am going with reptiles A to Z ! Each letter I will attempt to go with a crocodilian, lizard, snake, turtle, dinosaur or something related to them. Stay tuned and look forward to an April filled with reptiles!
Howard Schnellenberger earned his notoriety as the football coach who turned around a struggling Miami Hurricanes program to a National Champion. He also built the Florida Atlantic football program. In between he coached at Louisville and Oklahoma.
As an assistant with Bear Bryant he was the man responsible for Joe Namath to sign with Alabama. He was an assistant Coach with the Miami Dolphins during their undefeated season. Those two things show he was connected to a couple of famous football moments before he was a head coach.
Christian McBride ran away with this one 4 to 1. April will bring a lot of questions. Will I do the A to Z Challenge? Will I stick with jazz for my Battle of the Bands? I don't know. I've done jazz before and it has held it's own compared with other genres. Of course I blend genres too.
As I figure it out let's celebrate Christian McBride...
Riding March out staying in the Jazz genre. Spring is just around the corner and will be here by the time I announce the winner. "Up Jumped Spring" sounds like an appropriate tune to welcome Spring. The tune originally by Freddie Hubbard is considered a jazz standard.
Freddie Hubbard
Next I will present two contenders. You tell me in the comments which one you liked the best, or which one you hated the least. I count up the votes and announce a winner in a new post a week or so later.
Contender One: Curtis Fuller
Contender Two: Christian McBride Big Band
One standard, two contestants Curtis versus Christian I did my part. Now I need you to tell me which one you preferred in the comments.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler was one of the greatest boxers of my lifetime. A pro record of 62 Wins 3 Losses 2 Draws. His final fight was a split decision loss to Sugar Ray Leonard.
Highlights of one of his fights...
His career span 14years and included being named boxer of the year in 1983 and 1985. Boxing Illustrated called him the best boxer of the 80s. A Hall of Famer and a long time Champion. He dominated his sport, his legacy will live on. He will be missed by his fans, friends and family.
The combination of a jazz standard performed by two greats produced a close Battle of the Bands. The tune was Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way." I pitted the legendary Miles Davis against guitar great Wes Montgomery. Wes Montgomery won the battle 3 to 2.
As always we celebrate winners!
"Round Midnight"
"Windy"
"Twisted Blues"
I hope you enjoyed this Battle and I invite you to come back for my next Battle of the Bands on March 15th.
Neville O' Riley Livingston passed away yesterday at the age of 73. He was better known as Bunny Wailer, a pioneer of reggae and a founder of The Wailers. Besides playing with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh Bunny also won three Grammy Awards.