Greetings, all! 👋 Just a quick note to let you know that I'm currently taking a break from BOTB. While I've enjoyed participating, my main website is thriving to such a degree that I'm having trouble keeping up! Something had to give, and for now, that's Battle of the Bands. I will do my best to visit and vote on your battles when I can. Thank you so much for your support! 💖 As always, "Sharing is Caring" . Spread this musical joy all over your social networks. 🙌 Hashtags are #BOTB and #dogladysden Next Battle on this site will be T.B.A. I'm taking a break for now. ROCK ON! Follow THE DOGLADY'S DEN 's board BATTLE OF THE BANDS #BOTB at THE DOGLADY'S DEN on Pinterest. IN THE MEANTIME, SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE DOGLADY'S DEN! 👇🏻
MACARTHUR PARK - BOTB RESULTS (DOGLADY'S DEN WORDPRESS POST)
Welcome back! It’s time to announce results for the Nov. 1 BOTB post
BATTLE OF THE BANDS (BOTB), hosted by Far Away Seriesand StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands. is where you listen to different recordings of the same song and vote for the one you like best. Two “Battles” per month, on the 1st and 15th. Votes will be tallied and posted the following week.
This one pitted Boston-born Disco queen, Donna Summer against Nashville Prog-rocker, Neal Morse
The Richard Harris original of “MacArthur Park” has always been a favourite of mine, even though the lyrics seemed nonsensical. A 7-minute song on the radio was a novelty in those days and it achieved cult status.
The only cover I knew of was Donna Summer’s, so that was an easy pick. Several others were too similar and then I discovered The Neal Morse Band. Their version elicited some interesting responses, ranging from “they nailed it” to “pretentious bullshit”. Sign of a good battle, yes? I knew this would be a close one!
It was going back and forth from the beginning and there was no clear frontrunner. Some of you are Donna Summer fans and enjoy the disco genre. Not me (with some exceptions) and I was quite startled to hear a favourite song turned into a disco number. Is nothing sacred? That said, her intro was lovely, but as soon as the familiar beat started…UGH! Needless to say, I voted for Neil Morse. His vocals weren’t the greatest, but the arrangement was! Well damn; not good enough!
AND THE WINNER IS:
DONNA SUMMER
By one vote!
Another squeaker!
Here’s Donna, in a live performance:
Even though disco isn’t my favourite genre, we sure had lots of fun back then, partying every weekend.
Donna Summer’s music played a huge role in that, like it or not – and I did like some.
These are two of her songs that bring back the most vivid memories. Listen to “I Feel Love” after a few drinks or whatever…😉
“Last Dance” was always played at closing time.
Don’t forget to check back with the others for their BOTB results:
Glad you enjoyed it, Birgit. Donna did have a nice voice and one can’t dismiss her contribution to the music scene. She was a huge star! I just didn’t like her messing with a favourite song.
DEBBIE, you put together an excellent BOTB installment, and the 1-vote margin of victory total bears that out!
I can’t believe someone would use the expression “pretentious bullshit” in a BOTB comment section. That’s pretty brash and insensitive, if you ask me. Remind me NEVER to visit that person’s blog!
>>… “after a few drinks, or whatever…”
Ha!-Ha! Your “or whatever” literally made me laugh out loud. See ya on the 15th, Debbie.
Hahaha! Stephen, I think it’s great when people are honest and forthright like that. Yeah, there was a lot of “whatever” floating around in those days. Not my thing, but the booze was certainly flowing. I could tell you some stories! I’m glad you enjoyed the battle. The next BOTB is on the weekend again, and that makes it difficult for me to participate (clients and hubby keep me busy), but I’ll be back for Dec. 1. Thanks for dropping in. I always enjoy your in-depth comments. Apologies for the late response.
I think besides country, rap, and metal there is no music much more divisive than disco and prog rock. These Battle fothe Bands post surely bear that out. I know I’ve had my share where the commenters went in far flung regions from on another. Personal taste is such a great mystery much of the time.
I thought both these versions were outstanding to my ears and I’d pick either as a winner. Considering the close outcome of your contest I’m still a winner because Morse’s version was excellent. And though I didn’t pick Summers’ version, I still liked it a great deal.
I think you’re right about the divisive genres, Lee. That said, who wants bland all the time, yes? Stirring things up keeps these battles interesting. Unlike you, I found the disco version distasteful, except for the intro. LOL Yup; personal taste is a mystery. Glad you enjoyed the battle. Have a good weekend!
Sign of a good battle, yes? I knew this would be a close one!
It was a good close battle. Like the one I had this time, which came down to one vote. I think these close battles are the best. Great job this time.
Close battles are great but so difficult to achieve! I was surprised that yours was so close, Jeffrey.
Yup…not a lover of Disco really but I voted for her because of her voice. It was a great BOTB
Glad you enjoyed it, Birgit. Donna did have a nice voice and one can’t dismiss her contribution to the music scene. She was a huge star! I just didn’t like her messing with a favourite song.
DEBBIE, you put together an excellent BOTB installment, and the 1-vote margin of victory total bears that out!
I can’t believe someone would use the expression “pretentious bullshit” in a BOTB comment section. That’s pretty brash and insensitive, if you ask me. Remind me NEVER to visit that person’s blog!
>>… “after a few drinks, or whatever…”
Ha!-Ha! Your “or whatever” literally made me laugh out loud.
See ya on the 15th, Debbie.
~ D-FensDogG
‘Loyal American Underground’
Hahaha! Stephen, I think it’s great when people are honest and forthright like that.
Yeah, there was a lot of “whatever” floating around in those days. Not my thing, but the booze was certainly flowing. I could tell you some stories! I’m glad you enjoyed the battle. The next BOTB is on the weekend again, and that makes it difficult for me to participate (clients and hubby keep me busy), but I’ll be back for Dec. 1. Thanks for dropping in. I always enjoy your in-depth comments. Apologies for the late response.
I think besides country, rap, and metal there is no music much more divisive than disco and prog rock. These Battle fothe Bands post surely bear that out. I know I’ve had my share where the commenters went in far flung regions from on another. Personal taste is such a great mystery much of the time.
I thought both these versions were outstanding to my ears and I’d pick either as a winner. Considering the close outcome of your contest I’m still a winner because Morse’s version was excellent. And though I didn’t pick Summers’ version, I still liked it a great deal.
This was a very good Battle of the Bands match.
Arlee Bird
Wrote By Rote
I think you’re right about the divisive genres, Lee. That said, who wants bland all the time, yes? Stirring things up keeps these battles interesting.
Unlike you, I found the disco version distasteful, except for the intro. LOL Yup; personal taste is a mystery. Glad you enjoyed the battle. Have a good weekend!