Thursday, January 15, 2015

That's the spirit!

And no, I don't mean the yummy, intoxicating beverage kind, though there could be some of that by the time it's over!

Today is the day (fingers crossed) to get stuff done in the house. I have the day off, and there is much to be done if the temperatures cooperate. Meaning, it's cold here and our central is iffy and our electrical outlets in the main room (kitchen/living/dining) of the house are too iffy to plug in room heaters. So if it's not at least 60 degrees in the main part of the house, I'm very likely only going to come out of my cozy bedroom to work out. Or maybe I will do that in the bedroom as well. I don't deal well with cold weather. But I do hope to get a start on my spring cleaning, as I am working toward listing my home in the spring. But more on that later.

Today is also the 15th, and that means it's time for a new Battle of the Bands!

Battle of the Bands takes place on the 1st and the 15th of each month, pitting two recordings of the same song against one another. Readers are asked to listen to both versions (or at least enough of each to get a feel for the songs' sounds) and vote on their favorite in the comments. Of course, telling me why you voted for your choice is encouraged (but not required). Then, on the 7th and 21st, I will place my own vote and declare a winner. Follow the link above for the complete rules and a list of the other participants!

Here is "Spirit in the Sky", originally written and performed by Norman Greenbaum. And therefore, for my post purposes, not part of the battle:

The first version I ever heard of this song, believe it or not, was the version featured on the Maid to Order soundtrack performed by really weird English psychedelic rock band Doctor and the Medics:

Next up? A cover from Country/Southern Rock band The Kentucky Headhunters:

Well? Give it a whirl - did you like either of these covers? Let me know in the comments!

22 comments:

  1. Kim,
    I first learned to play "air guitar" on Norman Greenbaum's song. Fond memories.

    Never thought I'd say this but I like The Kentucky Headhunters' version better. I enjoyed the two part harmony as opposed to the "group" participation of Norman or the good Doctor. I also enjoyed the richer sound of the instruments... clarity of the drums, driving bass, and that soulful guitar rift. Great beat. I felt like jumping into a "Chebby" and riding down the highway. The "air guitar" was back, if only for the moment.

    My vote is for The Kentucky Headhunters

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  2. I'm with Dixie -- I prefer the Headhunters. It's a got a little more hint of country twang in the vocals, but that homey, folksy approach lends itself to the lyrics. And the distorted guitar solo was a nice echo of the original, too.

    The campy, cheesy 80's over-the-top feel of Doctor and the Medics was an interesting interpretation of the song, but it really didn't grab me for some reason. PLUS it didn't have the killer guitar solo at the end, so definitely points off for that, too.

    So headhunters for me, too.

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  3. KIM ~
    Very, very cool BOTB!

    Good thing you didn't include Norman's original version because I would have voted for it without even listening to the competitor. It's my favorite Rock song of ALL TIME!

    Both of these were pretty good. Once I stopped watching the video for the first one and solely listened to it, I liked it even better. But I too am voting for the Kentucky Headhunters.

    This might interest you...

    I once corresponded via Email with both NORMAN GREENBAUM and NILS LOFGREN. I posted a blog bit about this which you can find linked below:

    'YAKKIN' WITH ROCK STARS NILS 'N' NORMAN'.

    You done real good here. I hope DOC & THE MEDICS will get a vote so you don't have a shutout.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. That's so awesome; I will have to go back and read that post one of these days!

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  4. I'm going with the Kentucky Headhunters as well. Believe me, I tried not watching the video for the first one, but it made no difference, I didn't like it as well as I liked the Headhunters. Norman Greenbaum's was hot when I was in eighth grade.

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  5. I really want to vote for the Doc; that funky video aside (loved it!) it was just so racy and fun. I will have to spend some time on uTube checking them out.

    However, I also give my vote to Kentucky Headhunters because of the AWESOME guitar solo. I love KH and it was a tough choice to listen to someone new and like them so much. But, Kentucky gets the vote. Way to make my evening though.

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  6. My initial thoughts was the rock n' roll cover would steal my vote, but after listening to both cuts twice, its clear that Kentucky Headhunters won me over for many of the same reasons given above. Nice stand off between two sounding bands!

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  7. Definitely going with the Doctor on this one. I don't know .. the country tone just doesn't seem to fit the song. It needs that something unique that the Doctor version delivers.

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    1. Thank you for your vote and your perspective! I loved the Doc version myself, just am enthralled by the KH version, too.

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  8. Almost missed your post--you must have put it up a bit late.

    Good match. They're both good, but I too am going with the country boys from Kentucky. I like that twangier vocal sound and the instruments rock. They put a cool twist on the song while staying true to the original version. And it really rocks.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Well, I put it up the 15th and as far as I know, it was linked then, but maybe I did. I'll put another slash under the KH column :)

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  9. I prefer The Kentucky Headhunters, too. I'm glad that Rory voted for the first one preventing a shutout.

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    1. Another KH. Got it! I am glad someone voted for the DatM version, too. I do think it's a good cover.

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  10. After listening to both and reading all the comments I really wanted to like and vote for KH. Alas, I cannot. I just don't like country. Sorry, I do like southern style rock, but no, not this one. Plus I am partial to the Doctor, as it as a song of my decade. But I admit I have to ban the looks of the leadsinger from my mind ;)

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    1. Yay, another vote for Doc! This is a hard one for me, too, since the Doc version is also a song of my decade (I think. At least a decade I grew up in!). I didn't find the KH version as country as I expected, though.

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