Battle of the Bands: Voodoo Chile

 I've been away for a bit. Even that with a couple of stabs at these Battle of the Bands I haven't truly been back to blogging. So maybe "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" might be more fitting. Oh well here we give it a stab with Jimi Hendrix's blues classic "Voodoo Chile." 

I know it has been a while, but the rules remain the same. I will present the original. Then two challengers are given, and you let me know which cover version you like the best in the comments. 

There are a lot of choices for covers for any song played by Jimi. He is a legend of the guitar and an influencer of many who followed. Zakk Wyld is a great metal, hard rock guitarist. Paring Zakk with Les Paul's Trio is eclectic enough, but for him to perform the song on an acoustic guitar adds another wrinkle. The song certainly continues to rock. Angelique Kidjo interprets the song with a more modern, world music twists. 

                                              Jimi's version...

                                             

                                                 Contender One: Zakk Wyld with the Les Paul Trio

Contender Two: Angelique Kidjo

Let me know who wins!

R.I.P Pele

 Pele is a soccer/football legend. Perhaps the best player to ever play the game. He won the 1958 World Cup with Brazil and was named the tournament's second-best player not bad for a 17-year-old.  Brazil won again in 1962 but Pele was injured in the second game. Pele and Brazil would win the World Cup in 1970 and Pele was named the top player. 

Below is a compilation of Pele's World Cup highlights...

Pele will be missed by soccer/football fans across the world, he will be missed by Brazil, and of course his family and friends.

Battle of the Bands: Don't Fear the Reaper

 I'm surprised I haven't chosen this song before. Honestly it is probably better known more for cowbells than covers. Below is the Blue Oyster Cult classic "Don't Fear the Reaper."

I found my inspiration for my contenders in the movies.

Contender One Gus (Gus Black)

Contender Two: Keep Shelly in Athens

Let me know who you like in the comments!

Battle of the Bands: Summer Night City

 It is Summertime and haven't spent much time blogging. However, here I am with another Battle of the Bands. 

Let's try to continue those summer vibes with ABBA...

The Song "Summer Night City"

Let's get weird with contender one

Therion

Contender Two:

Swedish Hitz Goes Metal

This Summer Bang Your Head to ABBA! Tell me who you liked the best in the comments!

Battle of the Bands: Summer Wind

 From Gypsy Jazz to jazz standards as May has faded into June. The song Summer Wind was penned by Heinz Meier and Hans Bradtke. The lyrics were German, so Johnny Mercer added English lyrics and Wayne Newton recorded the first English version.

Let's make this fun with the contenders!

Contender One: Frank Sinatra

Contender Two: Willie Nelson

So Frank versus Willie, tell me who you like!

Battle of the Bands Results: Swingtime in Springtime Reve Bohme wins

 Last month the musical genre was Gypsy Guitar Jazz. Reve Bohme won 4 to 1, the Danish Gypsy Jazz Quartet can proudly display their victory. The win and 100 bucks might be able to fill their tour bus with a tank of gas. 

Here they perform "Swing Gitane."

Will let me come up with a new Battle.

Battle of the Bands: Swingtime in Springtime

 It seems like a long time since the last Battle of the Bands. A good time to switch gears.  So first the original Django Reinhardt....

                                            

Below are the two competitors....

                                             Paul Mehling/Nate Ketner Quintet 

Reve Boheme

Next you let me know which ones you like best in the comments, I count them up and announce a winner usually in about a week or so. Okay at least before June.