I really had all the best intentions of
getting this posted yesterday and then the day just got away from me. Well, y’all
know that ‘the best intentions’ are only pavement on the road to hell. So, with
that in mind, let’s get on with this post today.
Before I get into BOTB, I do want to
thank all of you who have been sending good thoughts and prayers my way. I’m
happy to report that they all worked. I am feeling better and all of my organs
have decided, once again, to participate in the daily operation of me. Never
underestimate the power of prayer and friendship. Please know that all of you
are greatly appreciated.
Now the task at hand BATTLE OF THE BANDS
XXXI RESULTS.
I have to admit, just like the other BOTB
participants, that you never know what will happen in one of these things. I
truly expected the Eric Clapton version with Gary Brooker, of the original versions
Procol Harum, to have run away with this BATTLE, but Miss Annie Lennox was not
to be outdone. For quite some time the voting was neck and neck; actually right
up until the end.
I cast my vote for the Eric Clapton
version. I like the slower more melancholy sounding tone to this version. I
agree that Annie did a fine job and her version holds up well and her voice (which
I have never been particularly fond of) does lend itself well to this tune, but
the Clapton/Brooker version just comes in a little bit over that line of preference
for me. BUT in the end, my vote was not enough to give them the edge.
The final tally:
Miss
Annie Lennox10 votes
Clapton/Brooker9 votes including mine
Just goes to show you, or at least I,
simply cannot predict how these things will turn out. This was definitely one I
never expected to come in so close. I have a feeling that most of the voters
didn’t either.
So there you have it, another BATTLE down.
Please do come back on November 1, when
I have another Battle brewing for you. As always I appreciate the continued
support of this little endeavor AND I cannot express again and again how much I
appreciate all those prayers and well wishes.
Recently, I been sick. Sicker than I care
to acknowledge or talk about, so, I’m not gonna bore you with the details, but
in keeping with the Holiday Halloween Spirit I’ve had so much blood drawn that
I look a lot like the title of my BATTLE OF THE BANDS choice today. Since I’m
never sure how long I’ll be able to hold my head up, let’s get right to it,
shall we?
Today’s choice is…have you guessed it
yet? ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’. It was originally written and performed by a
British group – Procol Harum. Here’s what Wacky-watchee says about them and the
song;
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is the debut single by the English
rock band Procol Harum, released 12 May 1967. The record reached
number one in the UK Singles Chart on 8 June 1967,
and stayed there for six weeks.[1]
Without much promotion, it reached No. 5 on the US charts.[2]
One of the counterculture anthems of the 1967 Summer
of Love, it is one of fewer than 30 singles
to have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.[3][4]
With its Bach-derived
instrumental melody, soulful vocals, and unusual lyrics, written by the song's
co-authors Gary Brooker, Keith Reid,[5]
and organist Matthew Fisher, "A Whiter Shade of Pale"
reached No. 1 in several countries when released in 1967. In the years since,
it has become an enduring classic. As of 2009, it was the most played song in
the last 75 years in public places in the United Kingdom,[6]
and the UK performing rights group Phonographic Performance Limited
in 2004 recognised it as the most-played record by British broadcasting of the
past 70 years.[7]
Also in 2004, Rolling Stone placed "A Whiter Shade of
Pale" No. 57 on its list of the 500 Greatest
Songs of All Time.
The original writing credits were for Brooker and Reid only. On 30 July
2009, Matthew Fisher won co-writing credit for adding the organ parts to the
original music in a unanimous ruling from the Law Lords.
I admit, I knew none of this until I
looked it up. Next Wacky-Watchee goes on to talk about the lyrics and their
meaning;
Reid got the title and starting point for the song at a party. He overheard
someone at the party saying to a woman, "You've turned a whiter shade of
pale," and the phrase stuck in his mind.[12][13]
The original lyrics had four verses, of which only two are heard on the
original recording. The third verse has been heard in live performances by
Procol Harum, and more seldom also the fourth.[14]
The author of Procol Harum: beyond the pale, Claes Johansen, suggests
that the song "deals in metaphorical form with a male/female relationship
which after some negotiation ends in a sexual act."[13]
This is supported by Tim de Lisle in Lives of the Great Songs, who
remarks that the lyrics concern a drunken seduction, which is described through
references to sex as a form of travel, usually nautical, using mythical and
literary journeys.[15]
Other observers have also commented that the lyrics concern a sexual
relationship.[12]
Structurally and thematically, the song is unusual in many respects. While
the recorded version is 4:03 long, it is composed of only two verses, each with
chorus. The piece is also more instrument-driven than most songs of the period,
and with a much looser rhyme scheme. Its unusually allusive and referential
lyrics are much more complex than most lyrics of the time. Thus, this piece can
be considered an early example of progressive
rock.
The phrase a whiter shade of pale has since gained widespread use in
the English language, noticed by several dictionaries.[16][17][18]
As such, the phrase is today often used in contexts independent of any
consideration of the song. It has also been heavily paraphrased, in forms like an
Xer shade of Y, to the extent that it has been recognised[19][20]
as a snowclone
– a type of cliché
and phrasal template.
Seriously? I have to admit that I never
got that, but then most of the music of that time was purported to end in a
sexual act, (one way or another) eh?
‘Bout now I suppose you’re wondering who
I’m putting up against the original Procol Harum version…well, think again. I
ain’t using the Procol Harum version. If you want to hear it, you’ll have to go
to YouTube yourself (I just ain’t up to making too many links today). It would
be no fun in posting the original, cause most of you would probably vote for it
based on familiarity. As it turns out this song has been covered by numerous
folks (FYI – even my ole pal Willie has a version, but no he’s not in the
running today either).
First let’s hear from Slowhand hisself;
Mr. Eric Clapton.
Next up, Miss Annie Lennox.
OK, now I sure do hope you guys know what
to do and how to do it, cause again, I just ain’t up to too much ‘splainin
today. Click yourself on over to the home of TSMOTP Mr. Stephen T. McCarthy and see what he has
cooked up for you in his BATTLE and check out the links he will undoubtedly
provide to the other participants. If you are so inclined, post you own BATTLE
but, please say so in the comment box, so we can all drop by and vote at your
space.
I’ll be back on the 21st with
my vote and the final tally. Thank you very much for supporting BOTB and please
try to visit all of the participants.
It’s late in the day and I’m just getting
around to posting my BATTLE OF THE BANDS Results. Not really surprised are ya?
Lately I seem to behaving that ‘white rabbit’ syndrome. You know where I’m
always running just a little bit behind.
Enough with the excuses. Let’s get on
with it, shall we?
This was a particularly fun BATTLE for me.
Probably because I really like both version of the song I posted. Like STMcC
said in the comment, Arrowsmith was a favorite of mine at one time, and I still
like to drag them out and reminisce sometimes. Dolorah, aka Donna Hole said
that it was good music to put on when cleaning the house, and I couldn’t agree
more. But, for me it’s dangerous to listen to when driving, because I really do
like to ‘put the pedal to the metal’, and since I’m still driving on an
International License, after having been back in the States for over a year…well
you know how sticky the Highway Patrol can be about things like that.
Anyway…I do still enjoy the Arrowsmith
version of Sweet Emotion when I’m in the mood for that sort of thing.
BUT, my vote goes to the Kottke/Gordon
cover. Many of you, OK most of you, didn’t like the long intro. To my taste it
was perfect. Kind of set up the anticipation. The mellow acoustic sound juxtaposed
(oh, you can see I really like that $.75 word, and I’m gonna use it whenever I
can) against that hard driving rock beat is the perfect antithesis. I’ve
actually listened to several cuts off this album at Youtube and really, Really,
REALLY like it.
ALAS, my vote didn’t make one itty,
bitty, little difference in the outcome. You guys voted 3 to 1 in favor of
Arrowsmith. The final tally:
Arrowsmith 15 votes
Kottke/Gordon6
votes counting mine
No matter. You don’t have to agree with
me to keep coming by here and having a good time. I do appreciate the continued
support. Keep in mind ‘I’ll be back’ (the Good Lord willin, and the creek don’t
rise) on October 15th with another thrilling BATTLE OF THE BAND for
you.
Please be sure to go by and check out the
other participants and see if you voted with the winner or otherwise.
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