BOTB The Carpenters vs Herman's Hermits
Time for the next round of Battle of the Bands!
Here’s how it works: I’ll be posting two versions of the same song and after you give a listen to each, place your vote for your favorite and reason for the way you voted in the comments section.
The Battles take place on or around the 1st and 15th of each month, and the results will be posted on or around the 7th and 21st. As I only post Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, the posting date will be closest to those dates as possible.
The other blogs participating in the Battle of the Bands are posting different battles (different songs), So once you’re done voting and commenting on my battle, take a moment to visit the other participants and vote & comment on their battles. There are some really good battles going on!
The Song: "There's A Kind of Hush"
Wikipedia tells us this:
"There's a Kind of Hush" is a popular song written by Les Reed and Geoff Stephens which was a hit in 1967 for Herman's Hermits and again in 1976 for The Carpenters.
The song was introduced on the 1966 album Winchester Cathedral by Geoff Stephens' group the New Vaudeville Band; like that group's hit "Winchester Cathedral", "There's a Kind of Hush" was conceived as a neo-British music hall number although it is a less overt proponent of that style.
The First Contender: Herman's Hermits
The Second Contender: The Carpenters
Who will you choose?
Alright now, it’s time to cast your vote! In the comments, please enter who you are voting for and why you chose them. Voting ends 3/21/17 @ 6pm EST. Stay tuned, results will be posted on the 22nd!
And don’t forget to visit these other battles going on today!
Are you a blogger that loves music?
We would love to have you join us in the Battle of the Bands blog hop. The battles are held twice a month on the 1st and the 15th. For more information, please leave a message for Stephen McCarthy on his latest blog post.
Fabulous old songs! I enjoyed them both but have to go with the Carpenters for my vote. Tania
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tania!
DeleteI've got your vote counted for the Carpenters. Thanks for dropping in to cast your vote.
~Mary
Mary, This is a song where I can say I like the original and cover equally well, which at first I thought would make things tricky when it came to voting for just one. After listening to both, I went did a second take on Herman's Hermits and it's there song I like just wee bit more. One thing I like better about HH's is the horns aren't as bright sounding in their song as in the Carpenter's. There are a few other minor things turning my ear more toward Herman's Hermits but I just can't put my finger on them. Just give my vote to Herman's Hermits! Very nice battle of a very nice song with two very nice groups! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cathy!
DeleteI like all three versions myself, so I know how hard it was to choose. I've got your vote for Herman's Hermits counted.
~Mary
I have to go with the Carpenters. Hearing her beautiful voice makes me almost want to weep, especially when I think of her tragic death. Be well!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Darla!
DeleteKaren Carpenter's death was truly tragic. She was so very talented in many ways. Did you know she was known for her drum skills as well as her voice? I've got your vote for the Carpenters counted. Appreciate you stopping by.
~Mary
It's always so hard to choose, each version really is nice! But I loved her voice, so, I'll go with The Carpenters.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sara!
DeleteAnother vote for the Carpenters. It's going to be interesting to see how this battle turns out. Thanks for taking the moment to cast your vote, truly appreciated!
~Mary
I'd forgotten that this song was on the NVB album.
ReplyDeleteAS lovely a version as the Carpenter's perform--though it's a bit schmaltzy--I must vote for Herman's Hermits. The Carpenters version is a bit too slick and commercial sounding. Herman and his boys provide that boyish innocence and silliness that pervaded so much of their music.
A vote for Herman's Hermits.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Thanks, Lee!
DeleteI think this is turning out to be a very interesting battle. Thanks for stopping in to cast your vote. It's going to be a close one, I think.
~Mary
I am old enough to know the The Carpenters version but I've never heard Herman's Hermits version before and I liked it a lot. But The Carpenters has memories for me. I've always found Karen Carpenter's voice to be so silky :)
ReplyDeleteVote: The Carpenters
Thank you, Jacqueline!
DeleteI was just a baby when the song originally came out, and then covered a year later by Herman's Hermits. Even though my older siblings had me listening to the original and HH, I have to agree that the Carpenters have the most memories for me as well. Thanks for stopping by. I've got your vote for the Carpenters counted.
~Mary
MARY! MARY!...
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that this song was a New Vaudeville Band original! (So much interesting trivia to be found in BOTB.) Now I am definitely going to have to add their 'WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL' album (abbalouly love the title track!) to my Spotify account and listen to it. I have a strong feeling I've been missing out on something I'd love for 57 years now.
I was very much familiar with both versions of 'THERE'S A KIND OF HUSH' in this Battle. And I can tell you this: Although they could have used more cowbell and megaphone, I am a massive fan of The Carpenters. In fact, I'd have to say that Karen is my all-time favorite vocalist, including both women AND men.
It's close to inconceivable that I would ever vote against THE CARPENTERS in a BOTB contest. It certainly ain't happening here, that's for sure.
Two cool Battles in a row, Mary, and now I have a new old group to look into.
~ D-FensDogG
Check out my new blog @
(Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Yo McCarthy!
DeleteThe more you know...
One of the things I love about these battles is learning little bits of trivia. With both contenders having had commercial success, it's making for a very good battle. Currently a slight lean toward one contender, but we all know that can change at any given moment. I hope these battles never end. It would be a very sad day in my world if that happened.
Enjoy your earworm for the day!
~Mary
Facebook comment from Tammy C:
ReplyDelete"Cant get carpenters vid to play hermits played fine......but im picking the carpenter's cause love them"
Thanks, Tammy!
DeleteNot sure why the video isn't working for you, but thank you for taking a moment to cast your vote.
~Mary
Much as I love Karen Carpenter's voice, I don't like the music they put with this one. Herman's Hermits' version was the first record I got after Dad died, and I always associate it with that period where my life was getting back to normal, finally. I'll vote for Herman's Hermits here.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, one of the pictures in that HH video looks like Pete Cetera. Notice that?
WOW. I had not noticed that until you pointed it out. That pic is of Peter Noone, and in some of his pics, he does bear a resemblance of Peter Cetera. Thanks for pointing that out!
DeleteAppreciate you stopping in to cast your vote. I've got you down for Herman's Hermits. Thanks again!
~Mary
I am voting for Karen as well....the arrangements are tailored made for her vocals which was a smart play...the slight country guitar was a nice touch as well
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jinzo!
DeleteI've got your vote for The Carpenters counted. Karen is holding up just fine against those Hermits :)
~Mary
I love them both but I think Herman's Hermits nailed it. But the Carpenters were spot on too. Great choices!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Ginger
Hi there Ginger!
DeleteThis is becoming a very good battle. It will be interesting to see who comes out at the winner. I've got your vote for Herman's Hermits counted. Thanks for stopping by!
~Mary
Herman's Hermits hands down! Love both though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kori!
DeleteAnother vote for Herman's Hermits is logged into the books. Appreciate you stopping by to cast your vote.
~Mary
The Carpenters,hands down.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Richard!
DeleteA vote for the Carpenters has been counted on your behalf. Thanks for stopping in to vote!
~Mary
I think I have to go with The Carpenters.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cassie!
DeleteAnother vote for The Carpenters. Thanks for stopping by!
~Mary
I love both bands, but gonna go with Herman's Hermits on this one since that is one of my favourites that they sing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emma!
DeleteAnother vote for Herman's Hermits! This is quite the battle... Thanks for stopping by to casts your vote.
~Mary
Okay, the Hermits were a fun group, and I like a number of their songs, but I can't think of anyone who can outdo anything Karen Carpenter did.
ReplyDeleteBarbara from Life & Faith in Caneyhead
Hi Barbara!
DeleteA vote for Karen Carpenter. Thanks!
~Mary
From Facebook: Diabolic Moss "Hey Mary dam when I tryed to post in comments it was like trying to get into Fort Knox but if yopu can count me as a Hermits vote takes more than Knaren voice to make a goog song"
ReplyDeleteYou got it, Roger!
DeleteAnother vote for the Hermits. Thanks for your vote. Hope all is well with you.
~Mary
This is such a fun idea. I don't know much about this type of music, so I'm probably not the best judge. I'd have to go with the Carpenter's.
ReplyDeleteActually, not being familiar with the music is probably the best scenario - this way you are not as biased toward any particular contestant.
DeleteA vote for the Carpenters has been counted. Thanks for stopping in!
~Mary
I love The Carpenters, and I thought they'd win my vote, but Herman's Hermits had such a great sound to it. "Herman" isn't quite the silky voiced angel that Karen Carpenter was, but the overall package sold me. Herman's Hermits for us!
ReplyDeleteHerman does tend to take one by surprise! Appreciate you dropping by to cast your vote! It's going to be a close one.
Delete~Mary
So fun! We have a friend whose mom was a Herman's Hermits 'groupie' back in the day and actually ended up friends with a member of the band. They've stayed with him on vacation. So of course they have to get my vote!
ReplyDeleteHey Susan! That's pretty cool!
DeleteThey seem like a really fun band to be friends with. Thanks for the vote!
~Mary
From Twitter: @Snapshotandsnippets "Have to vote for Herman's Hermits because my Dad knew them - Dad was a bass player in the 60's"
ReplyDeleteFrom Facebook: Vanessa Connor "Carpenters! I may be biased..."
ReplyDeleteThe Carpenters hands Down✌✌✌✌✌
ReplyDeleteThanks, Denise!
DeleteIt's looking to be quite a tight race! It will be very interesting to see the final outcome.
~Mary
I know this song quite well and I always learn something new when I check into the BOTB. I have to give it to Herman's Hermits because I like their harmony and the musical styling better. the Carpenters has a 70's feel with the music...because they were from that era:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Birgit!
DeleteI used to wake up to the Carpenters (or sometimes Donny Osmond) every morning in the early 70's. I was just a tiny person then, but shared a room with my teenage sister. I've counted your vote for the Carpenters. Thanks for stopping in!
~Mary
From Facebook: Arnold Stonebrink writes "Tought decision! Great group with great charisma, and good singers and good people as well. But I have to go with the Carpenters; it's just hard to beat Karen's voice.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mare!"
Hey Arn! It is a tough one.. two good contenders that placed well on the charts with their covers. It's interesting to watch the votes go back and forth. Thanks for your vote!
Delete~Mary
I love both but I have such a soft spot for Karen Carpenter that.... The Carpenters win for me!
ReplyDeleteHi Jaime!
DeleteThanks for your vote. I've got you down for the Carpenters.
~Mary
Easy vote for the Carpenters
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike!
DeleteI've got you down for the Carpenters. This has certainly been a fun battle...
~Mary
Tough choice, as they both sing it fantastically! I have to go with the Carpenters though, because I just love them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Adelina!
DeleteI've got you down for the Carpenters.
~Mary