A to Z Challenge: O Songs

Neil Young performing "Ohio" to start are musical journey of O songs.

O as in Orbison. Roy Orbison "Oh Pretty Woman"

Performed live from 1965..

Gladys Knight and the Pips "On and On"

The Band "Ophelia"

Hope you enjoyed see you soon!

Battle of the Bands Results: The winner was The Band

I dropped off the blogosphere for most of this month. My Dad had health issues, my car died, just to add to my normal dose of life. So I did one Battle of the Bands this month. Johnny Cash and Joni Mitchell couldn't sway the audience. The Band won handily 6 to 1. Not a shut out.

I hope it was worth the wait. Here is "The Weight"

"The Shape I'm In"

Well tomorrow is April. A fool's day. Perhaps a new battle, the A to Z.

Battle of the Bands: Long Black Veil

I new the song from being on The Band's "Big Pink" album. The song came  back onto my radar after doing a Monday's Music Moves Me post about songs that tell a story. This story is about cheating,  a bad alibi, a false accusation, and a hanging. In other words just a regular day on Battle of the Bands.

It was a Country Ballad first recorded by Lefty Frizzell...

Might as well start off with my introduction to the song..

Contestant One: The Band

Contestant Two: Johnny Cash and Joni Mitchell

You know the drill vote for the one you like the best in the comments. Will it be  The Band of Johnny and Joni? Will it be a tie? You all determine that!  I just count up all the votes. Voting ends in a week or so.  Hope you enjoy and see you next time!

Monday's Music Moves Me: Harvest Songs

Today's Monday Music Moves Me topic is a freebie. Since Thanksgiving is coming up, it is Fall and the harvest time I thought I would use harvest as my theme. Sit back and enjoy.

                                             Neil Young "Harvest Moon"

The Band "King Harvest"

A bit of classical Bartok's "Harvest Song"

The Isley Brothers "Harvest for the World"

Anthony Brown "The Harvest Song"

Hope you enjoyed this selection of songs!

Monday's Music Moves Me: Suicide Prevention

Today's  Monday's Music Moves Me is a freebie and since tomorrow is World Suicide Prevention Day I thought I would use that as a theme. It is one of those things people don't talk about but maybe through music we can have a conversation. Sometimes it is a kind word that pulls someone from the edge, sometimes it is professional help, and sometimes it is too late.

Let's start with Curt Kobain from Nirvana..."Smells Like Teen Spirit"

 Chris Cornell... "Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart"

Chester Bennington of Linkin Park.. "In The End"

Richard Manuel of The Band..."The Shape I'm In"

The inspiration for me wanting to write a blog post on this subject comes from the passing of a talented guitarist, Neal Casal who passed away  on August 26 after playing one of the biggest music festivls in North America the LOCKN Festival in Virginia. Neal was a member of Ryan Adam's band The Cardinals, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Hard Working Americans, and Circles Around the Sun. He had played with Bob Weir, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Tift Merritt, Robert Randolph, and many more.

Nel with his song "Maybe California"...

I know there are other musicians who have committed suicide. I know many of my readers know people who have committed suicide. Perhaps someone who is struggling will find help through reading this post, or taking to someone. Maybe it will help someone hang on.

Monday's Music Moves Me: Color Me with Music

Today's theme is similar to a theme in January with songs with colors. Revisit if you want for more colorful songs here. I like to think I'm creative, or at least at times. There is a lot of music out there.

If I'm coloring me, I'm trying to "Pant My Masterpiece" and I hope you are painting yours..

The Band performing the song written by Bob Dylan.

Below "Color Me Once" The Violent Femmes

Ben Haggard "Color Me"

In the end we can only hope to see the "True Colors"

Well I hope you enjoyed. I'm going to put the paints and brushes down.

Battle of the Bands number 24: My One Year Anniversary Battle

It is hard to believe it has been one year since my first Battle of the Bands battle.



Some bumps in the road but it has become one of my favorite blog hops. A lot of it becoming one of my favorites is the other participants. Everyone sharing music it is pretty neat. Especially when the music might be in a genre or era you don't necessarily listen to a lot. Sometimes it is hearing a song you know done differently. Sometimes people share music that is right up your musical alley that you have never heard before. Another thing I have discovered is the participants have some interesting blogs. Several times I have gone to check out a battle on a participant's blog and ended up sidetrack checking out their other blog posts.

The Battle of  the Bands has grown since I started and I am sure that os true when it started two years ago.

Hopefully this is the updated list of participants. I snagged it from STMcC Presents 'Battle of the Bands': 

@ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'BOOK LOVER' by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THIS BELLE ROCKS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'NOVELBREWS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE. 

Today's battle is based on a song by The Band called "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." It fits well with some current events. 

Here is their version..

I was impressed with the number of covers I found for this song. Selecting two was the hard part.


 I will start off with:

Contestant One: The Charlie Daniels Band

Contestant Two: Johnny Cash

I was originally planning on using the Zac Brown Band's version but I think this is a pretty fair battle. Two legends same era. Remember the only battle here is between Charlie Daniels and Johnny Cash vote and comment accordingly. 

It has been a fun year and I look forward to continuing into the future with the Battle of the Bands.
.

Happy Birthday Robbie Robertson!

Today is Robbie Robertson's 70th birthday. He is the legendary guitarist of The Band and has had asuccessful solo career. The best way to celebrate is through the music..

Probably The Band's most famous song...

This one is a song written by Bob Dylan but one of my favorites..

Here is Robbie Robertson performing "Somewhere Down The Crazy River"

and another "Ghost Dance"

Here is "Fear of Falling" Robbie Robertson with Eric Clapton...

Happy Birthday Robbie Robertson, thanks for the music! I will be back with a new post soon!

Levon Helm

Sad news Levon Helm passed away today. He was a drummer, mandolin player, and vocalist for The Band.
He was the first concert I reviewed on the Maryland Theatre Guide and the only one I co-wrote with Erica Laxson. You can read it here. Actually Erica wrote most of it, I added a little bit to it. She also moved over to DC Metro Theater Arts as well and you can read more about her here.

Here is a picture I took with my phone from that concert last year...


At least he got to tour with family and friends during his latter years. I'm sure it was fun for him to watch his family members become musicians and to be close to them. It is sad cancer took another person. Here is a song from the show "Attics of My Life"

News of his death..

A recent version of "The Weight" featuring Wilco...

Rest in peace..Levon Helm