Hey, hi! Glad you stopped by 😉
The Battle Of the Bands (BOTB) is your basic Which-do-you-like-best contest, where the one that gets the most votes wins. All you have to do is show up (the 1st of every month), give listen and cast your vote in the comment section. Votes will be tallied and the winner revealed on the 8th day of the month.
Happy December, everyone! This is the first time in a long, long time that at least one local radio station hasn’t started playing Christmas songs right after Thanksgiving dinner. I am officially shocked yet only somewhat dismayed because, to tell you the truth, sometimes, by the time Christmas rolled around, I was kind of tired of hearing Christmas songs. If you just gasped, I don’t blame you 😉 I don’t really have any favorites, but there are some I like less than others. For no other reason than a collective need for levity, I am featuring artists covering the oft-understated wonders of the season 😉
After you vote, and before you go – I highly recommend visiting the rest of the BOTB participants – they’re pros! And a few of them hold two battles a month! Here’s where to find them:
STMcC – Presents Battle of the Bands
Arlee – Tossing it Out
Cathy – Curious as a Cathy
John – The Sound of One Hand Typing
Mike – Mike’s Ramblings
Mary – Jingle Jangle Jungle
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Streampebbles 
I can’t say that I was enthralled with any of these versions. The “skit” of the first was annoying. Rod’s voice just didn’t do it for me–Michael would have been better on his own. The Earth Wind & Fire version didn’t fill me with any Christmas spirit, but it was funky and musically better than the others so that’s where my vote will go. I just won’t be putting it on my Christmas music favorites list.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas season!
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
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Hi Lee,
Yeah, I wished I could have skipped the banter in the skit…Buble has performed so many terrific duets – I figured one with Rod Stewart might tug on an ear or two 😉 I appreciate your vote for Earth, Wind & Fire!
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dIEDRE ~
I love this song. Heck, I love MOST Christmas / Holiday songs. In fact, for me, the Christmas season probably doesn’t really begin until I first hear Leroy Anderson’s instrumental version of ‘Sleigh Ride’ or Johnny Mathis’ version of ‘Winter Wonderland’.
However, not all renditions were created equally. And so in this Battle, for me…
#1 was out pert-dern quickly!
#2 I liked very much… except that I have always had a low-tolerance for the voice of Rod “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” Stewart. Buble, though, is one of the modern crooners whom I truly like and I even own a 2-CD set of his.
#3… Well… it took decades for me to finally learn to accept modernized versions of Christmas chestnuts (I mean the songs, not the smelly things roasting on an open fire). I eventually even purchased a CD which contains ‘Christmas Hits’ by both The Supremes & The Temptations. Unfortunately, however, this Earth, Wind & Fire arrangement for ‘Winter Wonderland’ was just a funky “bridge too far” for me.
So please deliver my Christmas gift (i.e., a BOTB bote) To MICHAEL BUBLE & MR. SEXY. Thank you, m’dear!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
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Hi there, Stephen T.,
Would you believe I had my ears on Johnny Mathis’ comforting version of Winter Wonderland before deciding to go off-road? You’ve got good taste, savvy Skipper! Buble is one of the finest voices around these days – well, except perhaps Andrea Bocelli 😉 A vote for Buble and Stewart it is! Thanks!
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The one with Anna Kendrick and Snoop Dogg is the most fun I’ve heard listening to either song in a very long time. They’re the winner of this round as far as I’m concerned.
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Hi John!
Glad you enjoyed 😉 I thought the medley was pretty clever. A delighted vote for Anna and Snoop Dogg! Thanks 😉
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I am more traditional so I go with Buble and Stewart. I didn’t mind the first one and had no idea Anna Kendrick could sing! The 3rd one is a hard no. At one point he made the song quite suggestive but that was typical back on the 70s and of his style of music but I really didn’t like it..lol
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Hi Birgit!
I was rather impressed with Anna’s many talents after seeing her in the musical comedy “Pitch Perfect.” Discovering that Earth Wind & Fire even did a Christmas song was a surprise to me. Conspiring by the fire seems to be a favorite as I record another appreciated vote for Buble and Stewart – Thank you!
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Merry Christmas!
i am casting my vote for Buble and Stewart. Earth Wind and Fire was different, but not something I would listen to multiple times by choice.
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Hi Mary!
Can’t say I disagree 😉 A vote for Buble and Stewart it is – and may you have a fantastic season!
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Diedre,
Snoop is a character. It would’ve been better to have just the recording of Snoop and Anna but her vocals are too sharp to suit my ear. I’m not sure what it is with Rod’s voice but he almost sounds like a woman which I really didn’t care for at all. Earth, Wind, & Fire has a nice dance vibe minus the festive holiday feeling. Despite how how Rod’s weirdness, overall I preferred cover #2 for the jazzy, Christmas fun the boys brought to the season. Please give my vote to Michael Buble & Rod Stewart.
Thanks for stopping by last week to vote in my BOTB, my friend. Have a marvelous, magical December!
PS: Just so you’ll know, I’m one who never tires of Christmas music!! 😀
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Hi Cathy!
My thoughts on Anna and Snoop as well. At first listen, I thought they’d mislabeled Earth, Wind & Fire as it sounded so much like other tracks – sans a festive feeling. Do you celebrate Christmas in July? It was a terrific way to keep the magic alive for the kiddos during camping season 😉 Another log at the traditional yuletide hearth and a vote for Buble and Stewart – thank you!
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Howdy, dIEDRE! ~
Look who’s back.
My Brother, Judge Al Bondigas, gave a listen here and decided to rule (judges don’t “vote”, they make “rulings”) in favor of the BUBLE & STEWART version.
The first one he didn’t care for at all.
About the third song, he said, “That wasn’t bad. It sounded very Earth, Wind & Fire-ish.”
But the ruling came down in favor of Mike & Rod. (Mike & Rod… that sounds like it should be the name of one of those annoying early morning radio disc jockey programs, where the hosts think they’re so funny but they never really are.)
~ D-FensDogG
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Hello again, Stephen T. 😉
And, thanks for delivering your brother the judge’s ruling! Nice of him to give a listen. I agree with his assessment of Earth Wind & Fire – ha! A much appreciated vote ruling for Mike & Rod. You’re right Stephen T., that does call to mind the mindless early morning radio banter – of yore – when all I really needed was good coffee and great tunes on the long drive to work 😉 Thank you both!
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