#BattleOfTheBands : Dr John Tribute
Today’s battle is a tribute to Malcolm John Rebennack Jr., aka Dr John, who passed away on June 6.
Wikipedia tells us this about Dr John:
“Active as a session musician from the late 1950s until his death, he gained a following in the late 1960s after the release of his album Gris-Gris and his appearance at the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music. He typically performed a lively, theatrical stage show inspired by medicine shows, Mardi Gras costumes and voodoo ceremonies. Rebennack recorded 30 studio albums and 9 live albums, as well as contributing to thousands of other musicians' recordings. In 1973 he achieved a top-10 hit single with "Right Place, Wrong Time".
The winner of six Grammy Awards, Rebennack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by singer John Legend in March 2011. In May 2013, Rebennack received an honorary doctorate of fine arts from Tulane University.”
In the past few years, his song “Iko, Iko” has been used a handful of times by various Battle of the Band participants. Today, we are battling covers of “Right Place, Wrong Time”.
As a reminder for you seasoned readers and to help out those of you who may be new here
Here is how a battle works:
Step One - Listen to each of the contenders. TRY not to be persuaded by the videos
Step Two - Pick the contender that you prefer the most (not just the one with the name you are familiar with)
Step Three - Comment with your selection. The comment section has been set up so that anyone can leave a comment. I do ask that you please include your name, should you use the anonymous feature.
Step Four - Visit Stephen’s blog to check out his battle and for a list of other bloggers that have have battles going on. We each have different battles, so please be sure to visit everyone. I'll provide a link below the videos to Stephen's blog for your convenience.
Okay, let’s get on with this then…
Once again I have three contenders. I believe each one brings something a little bit different to the table.
Contender #1 - The HiFi
Contender #2 - Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Contender #3 - Big Yellow Moon Band
Now, to repeat myself again:
YOU DON’T NEED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH AN ARTIST OR A SONG TO KNOW WHICH ONE YOU PREFER. You only need to listen to the videos and choose which one sounds better to you. There are no right or wrong votes, unless you vote for someone not listed as a contender or don’t vote at all.
For those of you who may be interested in joining in our fun - The battles take place twice a month. Once on the 1st, and again on the 15th. Some participants have chosen to participate only once a month - and that’s okay - we’re just happy to have you join us! Your battle can consist of covers of the same song, different songs with the same title, or even a themed type battle. We just want you to join in the fun! Catch the link to Stephen’s blog to join in - all you need to do is drop him a comment on his blog stating you’d like to participate and he’ll add you to the roster of participants.
I’d like to encourage you to visit the other bloggers participating in the battle of the bands blog hop as well. We’ve all put a lot of time and effort into putting together these battles and they are a lot of fun. Each blogger has a different battle taking place. You can find a current list of participants on Stephen’s blog (don't forget you can also request to join the battle of the bands blog hop by simply commenting on his blog that you'd like to join us).
Alright now… Cast your votes for The HiFi, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, or Big Yellow Moon Band! Voting will end on Friday, June 21 with results being posted on Saturday, June 22.
I first heard Dr. John in 1969 when they played Gris Gris album in full on the university FM station. So cool and trippy--right for the times.
ReplyDelete"Right Place Wrong Time" is such a classic. I like all of these versions for different reasons. But the winner for me is the first version by the Hi Fi. The jazzy arrangement is the bomb.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Thanks, Lee!
DeleteThe HiFi was a last minute addition as a contender. Glad that I included them :)
Another sad loss! :( Dr. John was one of a kind.
ReplyDeleteYou always find such fabulous, eclectic covers, Mary. This old rockchick was totally groovin' to the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, so that's where my vote is going. And, I'm off to Youtube to check out more of their stuff. Thanks and have a good weekend! ☺
Thanks, Debbie!
DeleteDr John was one of those guys that influenced quite a bit of music without many of us really knowing. Glad that I could introduce you to a new groovy band :)
MMQE ~
ReplyDeleteDang! I didn't hear about Dr. John passing away. He was really great. His live version of 'Such A Night' with The Band on 'The Last Waltz' was so fantastic. Come to think of it, I haven't played that album in way, way too long. Guess what's going into my CD player later today!
I didn't care too much for the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. To my ears, it was just too... "explosive".
The Big Yellow Moon Band was very good, but it still weren't no HiFi. THE HiFi was an easy choice for me. And I'll bet there is no shortage of good-looking women following that band around from gig to gig! If the music business doesn't pan out for them, those band members could all make a living modeling for GQ magazine.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Hey there Stephen!
DeleteThe HiFi sure do make the music much more interesting. Some guys are just blessed with good genes. As I mentioned to Lee above, they were a last minute entry to the battle. Sometimes I get lucky like that!
Dr. John was one of a kind and he will be missed! It seems like all the goodies are dropping like flies (but we're still here!). I'm not over David Bowie, Davy Jones and Peter Tork yet...uncle! Uncle!
ReplyDelete"Right Place Wrong Time" is an all time favorite of mine. Gotta give it my vote!
>>,,,"Right Place Wrong Time" is an all time favorite of mine. Gotta give it my vote!
DeleteHmm is that a vote for all three contenders? How do I split this?
Lol...I'm an idiot. But I had HiFi in my head as the version of that song that I liked best.
DeletePerhaps a bird flew by...
Haha! No worries. I figured you might have been a little distracted. Thanks for coming back to clear up the vote :)
DeleteI only knew of Dr. John as he appeared on animated film soundtracks like "The Princess and the Frog" and "The Swan Princess". I didn't know of his other works until his death.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, thanks for introducing to me three songs featuring Dr. John. I am going to pick #1 The HiFi because I like the big band/old school jazz feel.
Thanks, Amy!
DeleteDr John was part of the famous 'Wrecking Crew' who were session musicians for many of the great talents. You should check out his wikipedia page as there were far too many artists to list here.
I don't know who Dr John is but I do like the Hifi song the best x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rhian!
DeleteDr John is the guy who wrote this song :) A guy with lots of talent. Thanks for stopping in with a vote!
I'm going for contender number 1, the old school jazz feel is fab
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liam!
DeleteAnother vote for The HiFi!
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI didn't hear about John's passing but I do remember this classic funky oldie. Of the three covers I liked best Big Yellow Moon Band who reminded me the most of the original and wins my vote. ;)
I don't have a BoTB this round and am sitting it out for the summer but am keeping the 4M dance party going. Have a bandtastic day, my friend!
Thanks, Cathy!
DeleteCutting back on schedules seems to be the summer norm any more. You've had a crazy winter, and deserve a break. Glad to hear you are keeping up the #4M. I'd hate to have to overtake it.
Thanks for voting for Big Yellow Moon Band. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one that liked them.
Hi Fi for me. Maybe because it sounds closest to the original?
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
Hi Janet!
DeleteI'm not sure if it's closest to the original or not. Most of the videos with Dr John that I found had him playing with other artists. Looks like HiFi is running away with this one, though!
My brother really likes Dr. John and it is a sad passing...way too many this year I think. I will give it to Hi-Fi because I love the guitar and the vocals in it much better than the 2nd one. The 3rd is good but I still like Hi-Fi the best
ReplyDeleteThanks, Birgit!
DeleteDr John and his influence on the music scene will definitely be missed. Thanks for stopping by with a vote!
Okay boys and girls, friends and strangers! Votes have been tallied and results will be posted in just a few short hours. Thank you to everyone that stopped by to vote. You can find the results here: https://www.jinglejanglejungle.net/2019/06/botb-results-dr-john.html The post will be live at 12am EST
ReplyDelete