Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Battle of the Bands: See You Later, Alligator

 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.

See you later, alligators!






Monday, March 29, 2021

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: Theme Reveal Reptiles A to Z

 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!


Here is 10 of the largest for a sneak peak...





R.I.P Howard Schnellenberger

 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.

A local tribute  to the Coach... 


He will be missed by family, friends and fans.




 

Friday, March 26, 2021

Battle of the Bands Results: Up Jumped Spring

 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...

                                                                   "Fried Pies"


"Night Train"


"On Green Dolphin Street"


Come back on the 1st and see what I come up with!






Monday, March 15, 2021

Battle of the Bands: Up Jumped Spring

 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.

Thanks for visiting and come back soon!







Sunday, March 14, 2021

R.I.P Marvelous Marvin Hagler

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.



Monday, March 8, 2021

Battle of the Bands Results: Who's Sweet Way

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.






Sunday, March 7, 2021

R.I.P Michael Stanley

 Michael Stanley passed away yesterday. Cancer claimed another rocker. He was also a popular radio personality in Cleveland.                    


                                             Let's "Strike Up The Band"

                                              


                                                His last Top 40 hit "My Town"


"He Can't Love You" was his first


Cleveland lost one of their musical heroes. He will be missed by his city, his family, friends and fans.

       



Wednesday, March 3, 2021

R.I.P Bunny Wailer

 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. 


                                                       "Cool Runnings"


"Another Dance"



Bunny with Peter Tosh and Bob Marley "Stir it Up"


A legend has passed but his music will live on.