Now that 2014 is behind me, I'm ready to get started on new ideas, new projects (um....and continue finishing old ones), and new goals. At one point last year I was considering whether to start over, or just drive the brand I've already put a lot of time and effort into. Obviously I Have chosen to continue with the This Belle Rocks brand this year, and try to steer that in a few different directions, all of which I am equally passionate about. Another goal for the blog? To try to post something, no matter how big, small, or frivolous, as long as it is relevant to my interests, every day. And hopefully, that will eventually attract others with similar interests. But I will never connect with others if I don't put something out there to begin with, right?
And on that note, here I am posting on a day where I normally scratch my head and wonder what I could possibly post about. But not just any post - this is my first Battle of the Bands of 2015, and I am SO excited!
To start 2015's "battles," I've chosen to feature one of my all-time favorite songs (and therefore not part of the battle): The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy For The Devil".
First up, Cuban percussionist Horacio Hernandez's version featuring Ruben Blades. I love the jazzy, percussion-heavy world beat.
Then there is the version from Alternative legends Jane's Addiction, which was used in the last episode of Seaason 5 of Sons of Anarchy.
Please listen to both covers (or enough to get a "feel" for the song), then vote for your favorite. I will come back on the 7th and 21st to cast my own vote and declare a winner.
And again, Happy New Year!
That was a tough pairing and a good Battle for you to put up as your first.
ReplyDeleteThe Jane's Addiction version is outstanding and I think I like it even better than the Stones' original version.
However, gaining extra points for originality and because I like the Latin percussion style, I hand over my vote to Hernandez and company. Such a unique song for a band like this to cover and they made the grade with their take on it. Good stuff.
This was a fine Battle.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Thank you, Lee, and thank you for voting. One for Hernandez & Co.!
Delete[See my reply to your comments at my blog.]
ReplyDeleteHmmm... This one's tougher than I thought it might be. I always lean toward Jazz and Blues, so I thought the first one would be a slam dunk.
But I gotta admit, the sound of the second one seems more in line with the song's theme.
Color me surprised, but I'm voting for Jane's Addiction. In fact, I think I might even prefer their version to the original by The Stones.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
And we have our first vote for Jane's Addiction! Thank you for voting!
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteHello! As soon as I leave here, I intend to add you to the list of links of people participating in BOTB. Could you add the Google Friend Connect button to your sidebar? It would make it ever so much easier for me to follow your blog. If you don't know how... go to page layout, click on add a gadget, then click on the "more" (I think) or maybe it's "advanced." Anyway, there is a search bar at the top of that tab. Type in Google Friend Connect and it will be the first gadget. Just click on it and it will add it to your page.
Now on to the battle... I wasn't enamored with the first version, It wasn't bad, but it didn't feel right for the song. I really liked Jane's Addiction cover, however. So, give them my vote.
(See my comments at your blog) I tried to find Google Friend Connect, but the closest thing it gave me was Google Follow. I opted not to add that because it required me to switch from using my Blogger profile for comments to my Google +, and I hate Google + profiles, so I opted out of that really quick. I do have buttons to add to Google + and other social media in my sidebar under "Don't Be Anti-Social." Hopefully some of that helps!
DeleteTwo for Jane's Addiction, one for Hernandez. Thank you for voting!
This is a tough one for me. I'm simply not a Stones' fan, but maybe that's to my advantage here. I like a little salsa, but I lean towards Jane's. I really like that version better than the Stones' original.
ReplyDeleteI vote: Jane's Addiction. I listened twice... tough one. Still Jane's. Thanks.
Thank you for visiting, playing along, and voting! Jane's Addiction - 3; Hernandez - 1.
DeleteMaybe I'm more of a Rolling Stones fan than I thought, because for my money; nobody does it better. Like some of the other comments I expected to like that Cuban/World Beat version, but it just didn't cut it for this song. Jane's Addiction had the right dark roast flavor that seems intended for this tune. give them my vote.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Battle of the Bands. I hoe you enjoy your time here with us. It's proven to be fun and games, twice a month. If you let each of the other participants know you've posted a BATTLE in their comment section, you will probably generate more visits and votes here. Now I'm off to see if I can find a 'Follow Button' somewhere here on your blog.
Thank you, farawayeyes, for voting, and visiting my site! I'll definitely be back to play along on the 15th. I'm not sure which type of follow button you're looking for, but in my sidebar under the heading "Don't Be Anti-Social" I have buttons to the social media sites I use and under "Subscribe" I have buttons to several rss readers.
DeleteThank you for coming over and voting! Jane's Addiction - 4; Hernandez - 1.