Monday's Music Moves Me: Christmas Music, Santa Songs

 Welcome to my blog! This Month's theme for Monday's Music Moves Me is Christmas Songs. I am breaking it up into many themes and this week I selected Santa Songs. 

                                                  Mariah Carey with Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson

"Oh, Santa" 

It wouldn't be Christmas without "Santa Shark"

Bruce Springsteen "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"

The Beach Boys "Little Saint Nick"

I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Battle of the Bands Results: In Honor of Little Richard Zeppelin beats The Boss Handly

Sadly the world lost Little Richard. My battle of the bands play tribute to him by selecting his song "Long Tall Sally." Bruce might be the boss but he is not the mighty Led Zeppelin. Zeppelin wasn't just Robert Plant. This might not be his finest vocal performance as one reader commented:

"I think this could be titled 'Battle Of The Screamers'"

As noted by another reader:

"They have Jimmy Page... "

The band also had John Bonham and John Paul Jones which together made them Led Zeppelin. It is all math 4 greats better than 1. The votes agreed 5 to 1.

Let's celebrate:

 

                                                  

                                                  "Celebration Day"

"Over the Hills and Far Away"

"Rock and Roll"

Hope you enjoyed! I will have another battle on the 1st!

Battle of the Bands: Long Tall Sally

The world lost an icon when Little Richard passed away. Scroll down my blog and you can see my tribute post. I honor of Little Richard today's Battle of the Bands features the song "Long Tall Sally."

Well I will pick a couple of covers. You my readers select the winner by telling me which one you like the best in the comments. I count them up and post about the results in a week a so.

Led Zeppelin

Bruce Springsteen

Raw live Rock and Roll. Led Zeppelin versus the Boss!

Who has your vote Led Zeppelin or Bruce Springsteen?

Monday's Music Moves Me "Patriotic Songs for the 4th"

This week's theme is Patriotic Songs for the 4th of July for Monday's Music Moves Me. I'm participating this week so let's get started.


Ladies and Gentleman The Star Spangled Banner performed by Jimi Hendrix..

The Grateful Dead "U.S. Blues"

One of the best blues men out there today Keb' Mo' with his version of "America The Beautiful"

Bruce Springsteen "Born in the USA"

"Stars and Stripes Forever" performed by the U.S. Army...

Hope you enjoyed! I wish you a safe and fun filled 4th of July.

Battle of the Bands Result: This is the place where big names get shut out

My last three Battle of the Bands have been shut outs! Aretha Franklin forget about respect, how about a vote?

The time before The Everly Brothers got the shut out treatment. Starting my string of shut outs Julie Miller! Her husband is the one and only Buddy Miller.  I know I've had more shut outs and I am curious who else I have served a nice big slice of Humble Pie?

Maybe I do need a Doctor! Prior to this trio of shut outs the mighty Led Zeppelin and Glenn Miller Orchestra was shut out in November of 2017. Even the Boss, Bruce Springsteen was shutout in July of 2017.  D'Angelo lost in the Winter of 17. Nicola Marie added her name to the list in December 2016. The great Nina Simone was shut out in July of 2016,.

There is the complete history of shut outs here. 

I liked the guitar playing un Aretha's version and it was neat hearing the song from a female point of view.

However BB was known for that song, oh well. 

Battle of the Bands Results: No Love for the Boss

 Sometimes things are missed in translation on a blog. There is no wink, twinkle of the eye or facial expression. I participate in the Battle of the Bands because it is fun. I enjoy it. I'm happy with it. It looks like most participants are changing to once a month on the 15th. Cool!  I'll give it a whirl. It is a change and was one of many going on in my world which led to my choice of song on the 15th.

Onto the results. My battle featured three musical icons Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Joel. Dylan gets covered quite a bit and I think I picked a song that hasn't been covered by everyone. I liked stripping the Battle down to just Bruce versus Billy.

Billy Joel ran away with this Battle winning 6 to 0.


Let's celebrate "Uptown Girl"

"It's Still Rock N Roll to Me"

"River Dreams"

Hope you enjoyed! I'll be back mid-month for a new Battle of the Bands. Stay tuned to see what else turns up.

Battle of the Bands: The Times They Are A Changin'

Sometimes you have to ask yourself what Bob would do. The Battle of the Bands being moved to once a month.  I missed the memo and since I did one on the first, I thought about sitting this one out. Then I realize I enjoy putting together these Battles. Life, work, writing, even the bloghops change. Heck even Bob Dylan changes his own darn songs.



The Times They Are A Changin' is the song this time around.








Don't vote for Bob Dylan version:

You vote for one of the two contenders below by stating whose version you like best in the comments.

Contender One: Bruce Springsteen

Contender Two: Billy Joel

Bruce or Billy let me know who gets your vote in the comments and I will announce a winner. If you want to hear some more Battles check out the other battles here.

Battle of the Bands Number 8: When the Saints Go Marching In

I'm back for my eighth installment of Battle of the Bands. Here is how it works:

Listen to the song clips in the blog post. In the comment section vote for the one you like the best. Feel free to explain why you voted the way you did. The battles take place on the first and 15th and winners will be announced on the 7th and 21st. I will normally post the winner in the comments. Of course have fun and enjoy!

If you are still looking for more musical fun after you vote, you can check out these sites for more battles:

Far Away Series

Your Daily Dose

DiscConnected

Tossing It Out

STMcC Presents "Battle of the Bands"

A Writer's Life in Progress

Curious as a Cathy

The Creative Outlet of StratPlayer

The Sound of One Hand Typing

Alex J. Cavanaugh In

This rounds song:

Since today is All Saints Day I thought I would choose "When The Saints Go Marching In." The precise origins of the song are unknown, the song originated as a hymn. Louis Armstrong is credited for the first recording of the song as he made it more of a jazz standard.

First Challenger:

Starting off  Dr. John because in this competition you have to have someone representing New Orleans...

Second Challenger

It would have been too easy to pit two great brass bands against one another. I want contrast! New Jersey is quite different from New Orleans. Bruce Springsteen is quite different from Dr. John. 

Ladies and Gentleman The Boss...

Anyway these are my picks for this competition. Vote in the comments! Happy All Saints DAy!

Happy Birthday to The Boss

When I was visiting my friend at Jazz Fest he gave me a hard time for not coming back to see Bruce Springsteen. An artist I have never seen in concert. The truth behold I would have loved to gone to Jazz Fest for more than one day this year. My friend insists Bruce would have blown me away in concert. However, I had work and family commitments  that created scheduling impossibilities. Not a curse a blessing. No job, no family isn't great either.

However, Springsteen has never been a must see act to me. I enjoy his music in small doses. He is a great songwriter, has a loyal following, and in rock music is a living legend. Not taking away from him. In fact today I am celebrating his birthday!

As you would expect..

He is creative enough to cover the unexpected..

His song..

Happy Birthday to the Boss! What's your favorite Bruce song?

Happy Birthday Jon Bon Jovi

Today is Jon Bon Jovi's 52nd birthday. If you are around my age you were listening to his band Bon Jovi when you were a teen. He is a likeable guy. Successful rock star. (okay he was pop, but back then some pop rocked) He owns an arena ball football team. He likes music and sports. Sounds like enough to celebrate his birthday on my blog.

He gets bonus points for working with Jeff Beck..

Here is one of the songs from my teenage years..

In recent times with the Boss, Bruce Springsteen

Happy Birthday you have many years to go...

Happy Birthday to four Greats

Roy Buchanan, John Coltrane, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen all share today as there birthday! A guitar master, a jazz legend, a musical icon and rocker! 

Roy Buchanan was a guitar wizard..enjoy

John Coltrane..Blue Train

Ray Charles..

and the Boss, Bruce Springsteen

It is rare when four greats have their birthday on the same day so enjoy!

R.I. P. Clarence Clemons

Sad news today regarding Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's sax player Clarence Clemons he passed away. He died at the age of 69, the cause was related to his recent stroke. He gained fame by performing with Bruce for 40 some years. However, his fame was well deserved as a sax player. He also did sessions for Aretha Franklin and Lady Gaga.


Here he is performing his solo on the Springsteen tune "Jungleland"

The second one is Clarence performing the National Anthem,,,

It is sad when a talent passes away