It's the 15th of the month and that means that it is time for another installation of Battle of The Bands. If this is new to you, each one of these battles pits the same song sung by different artists against the other. Battles are happening today on several blogs including Far Away Series, FERRET-FACED FASCIST FRIENDS, and Tossing It Out. Comments on these blogs might garner you a prize. DiscConnected is also hosting a battle, like me, without a prize. We're just in it for the fun! For more information on the prizes visit FERRET-FACED FASCIST FRIENDS as all of the details are there.
Stephen (FFFF) indicated some time ago that he had a whole bunch of Christmas music on his list. Of course, that caused my brain to start thinking about Christmas music. I adore Christmas music. Hearing it brings back memories of my mom wrapping presents in our living room on a card table hauled out special for the occasion. Every evening she was in there wrapping and Christmas albums played on the record player. Yeah, I said record player. So, hearing Christmas music always transports me to that room with the wood stove burning, my mom wrapping, and the music playing. And don't get me started on the Christmas tree. I was one of those kids who would lie under it and look up at the lights. I simply love everything about Christmas.
So, I am starting early with the Christmas tunes so that I can run them through the holidays. And I know some folks already have their tree up. I have seen pics on Facebook. So, I am not the only one swept away by the holiday spirit.
First up on my Christmas roster is the song Carol of the Bells. Normally, I go to wikipedia and give you the down and dirty on the song.... who wrote it, recorded it, blah blah blah. Not today. I am going to just ASSUME you know it. I will tell you that my original match-up was going to be Mannheim Steamroller vs. someone else (I didn't have anyone definitive in mind), so I hit YouTube. And that is when it got INTERESTING. Why? I found both of these versions, which I'd never heard before and loved both of them! I am going to have a tough time with the voting. However, I want to hear which one is your favorite and WHY, so post your vote (with explanation) in the comments.
Carol of the Bells (for 12 cellos) by The Piano Guys (ironically, no piano in this song, just cello....):
versus
Carol of the Bells by Pentatonix (an a capella version):
You may have noticed that the first one slipped in and out of God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman. Surprisingly, I didn't mind. So, which one of these tickled your fancy? Please tell me... at length.
Wow -- you're right! Both are really good! I also liked how both videos adhered to the time-honored "put the musicians in a weird place and have them pretend to do their song" method of video-making. ;)
ReplyDeleteBut musically, I really enjoyed both. I smiled at the insertion of "God Rest..." in the cello piece. I liked the dynamics, the mix and overlay of the parts, and the overall effect. Plus this is one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs, so that certainly helps. Great musicianship, interesting arrangement, sublime playing, and a very enjoyable rendition.
I actually remember Pentatonix from "The Sing Off". Their version of the song was also stellar -- those intricate harmonies, all the clever arrangement, wonderful dynamics here too. simply gorgeous.
Unlike other BOTB entries today, this is one where both versions are deserving of the win. But I'll give the edge to Pentatonix -- I don't play the cello, but as a guitarist, I look at that and go, "yeah -- given time, I could probably do that). But I have absolutely no ability to sing -- there is no way I could EVER do what Pentatonix does. Simply amazing.
So Pentatonix for me today. ;)
I agree. They both deserve the win. I will be happy with this no matter how it goes down.
DeleteHere is what is funny about your thinking process (to me)... I tend to "value" a song based more on the singing and less on the music. Why? My background is in singing. I loved being in choir in school. I still love singing karaoke. As a singer, I admire what Pentatonix has done with this song. Songs that are about the instruments really have to be amazing for me to love it. I am really trying to encourage my brain to appreciate the instruments more. In some ways, it feels like learning a new skill. It's one of reasons I like to listen to your stuff... it's food for my brain.
YIKES! Christmas music already? But, but, I haven't even cooked a turkey yet. Oh well, I guess tis the season...
ReplyDeleteI really like The Piano Guys and The Cello Guys too, so at first glance I thought this would be a no brainer. But then when I read on I thought ah...an a cappella group, OK, I'm ready for that (I watched 'Pitch Perfect' last night and thought it was kinda fun). Now, I want to be honest, so nobody hate on me for the following.
I had just come home from working out at the pool, so I clicked on the Pentatonix version and proceeded to wander around the house hanging up my suit and towel. I'm listening along thinking this is really nice, then I returned to the phone on the counter and saw that the lead was a man. He has a beautiful voice, but the visuals kinda ruined it for me (I was sure that was a woman).
So...fair or not, I gotta go with The Piano (Cello) Guys.
It will be here before you know it. Many people (not me), but many people have their tree up and decorated so that their Thanksgiving guests will appreciate it. I fully expect my neighbor to be in full Christmas decorating swing any day now. She totally does the inside and outside.
DeleteOn to the music...I can appreciate your choice because I think The Piano Guys version of this song is awesome. I think the Pentatonix version is awesome, too. You did realize that there was no snare drum, right? That was one of the singers. I thought the bass had an incredible voice and while you clearly don't love a tenor voice... I thought that it was perfect within the context of this song.
I know first-hand how difficult it can be for a group to stay on-pitch while singing a cappela, and think it's a lot of fun to sing that way, but... I've gotta vote for the cellos. Something about the singers got on my nerves, and I can't even put my finger on what it was.
ReplyDeleteFair enough. Got you down.
DeleteROBIN ~
ReplyDelete>>... And don't get me started on the Christmas tree. I was one of those kids who would lie under it and look up at the lights. I simply love everything about Christmas.
Ditto. Ditto.
Alright, you punkette! I had not yet absolutely, conclusively, definitively settled on which Christmas songs I was going to use in December, but ‘CAROL OF THE BELLS’ is one I was certainly leaning toward! I love this song and I think it’s probably another one of those tunes that is almost impossible to wreck.
I’ve almost totally made up my mind about which song I will use on January 1st, but December 1st and 15th are still not entirely decided. I might STILL use ‘Carol Of The Bells’ because the two versions I had in mind are different from the two you used. (Although I’m now slightly more inclined to go in a different direction. No problem, since I have too many Christmas songs on my list as it is.)
A lot of people don’t know the title of ‘Carol Of The Bells’, they only know the melody. A lot of people also don’t realize that the melody has lyrics (since it’s often presented as an instrumental). I can’t think of this song without mentally seeing two champagne glasses clinking against each other, because I first became aware of ‘Carol Of The Bells’ as a little kid, when it was used in a (very old) Andre Champagne TV commercial. For a few years I referred to it as “The Andre Champagne Song”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGOr3s1VEYI
Also, a little known fact is that ‘CAROL OF THE BELLS’ actually alludes to Jesus Christ. There’s a line in the lyrics that mentions “The King is born” (i.e., the reason for the ringing bells) but it sometimes gets left out in vocal versions. And, in fact, I didn’t hear it in the Pentatonix version either. (Maybe it was in there but I missed it. Don’t think so though.)
The Pentatonix take on this was pretty good. I’ve heard better singers do it, and I’ve heard better harmonizing by other groups, but like I said, I’m not sure any professional singer / musician could really ruin ‘Carol Of The Bells’.
But, the musicianship in ‘The Piano Guys’ version was outstanding and the arrangement was powerful and beautiful at the same time. This was an easy, Easy, EASY decision for me:
Chalk one up for THE PIANO GUYS.
~ D-FensDogg
‘Loyal American Underground’
I was surprised that you didn't use a Christmas song for this bout. I was fully expecting it given the number of Christmas songs on your list. I agree that you could STILL use Carol of the Bells and have a completely different bout. So, if you want to do it... GO FOR IT.
DeleteHave you noticed how commercials have changed? My mom and I talk about this all of the time. The day of the jingle is gone, which is sad because jingles are so memorable. I can still sing some of them from childhood and there was a radio jingle on a station when I spent a summer in Colorado that I still know word for word. (That was back in 1988) Now, I can watch an entire commercial and not be able to figure out what they were selling... even if the commercial was interesting. And most of them don't have music either. I am so glad I have a fast forward function on my DVR and I never watch anything when it's actually ON.
I really like The Piano Guys version, too. ::Not saying I like it MORE than the other. But I really like it::
ROBIN ~
Delete>>... I was surprised that you didn't use a Christmas song for this bout. I was fully expecting it given the number of Christmas songs on your list.
Have you not yet learned that when it comes to me, it's best to expect the unexpected?
Nah, I don't start listening to Christmas songs until the day after Thanksgiving. But from that day through December 25th, that's just about ALL I listen to.
Yeah, I have enough Christmas songs on my list for at least four Christmases (2 per December), so I definitely won't do 'Carol Of The Bells'. In fact, I keep changing my mind about which ones to use. I think I've finally settled on my contestants for Dec. 1st and 15th (IF YouTube has a certain one available... which is questionable, but I intend to find out soon'z I post this comment).
Then I was going to use a favorite "Winter" song for January 1st (that most people think of as a Christmas song). But yesterday I remembered that January 1st is New Year's Day, which got me thinking about a certain alcoholic drink... and it will be a stroke of cracked genius to go with the song I now have in mind for Jan. 1. (You won't know the history behind this, but my readers who have been 'Following' my blogging since my old 'Stuffs' blog days will "get it", because they know what New Year's Day really translates into for me.)
So my "Winter" song gets pushed back to Jan. 15th... if I even wind up using it at all.
TOO MANY great potential 'BOTB' song match-ups is making me crazy.
As for the commercials, no, actually I had NOT noticed how they've changed. But that's because I watch almost NO TV. If I turn on my television set, 98 out of 100 times it's only because I'm about to put a DVD into the player.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
POSTSCRIPT:
DeleteWell, YouTube did NOT have the song I was hoping to find, so that changes EVERYTHING (again).
The "Winter" song will go up on December 1st. My legitimate "Christmas" song will go up on December 15th. And the very unique version of a certain famous Holiday song I had hoped/intended to post on December 1st will just have to wait until... next year (if there IS a "next year").
Now... I gotta go to sleep in preparation for the next "graveyard" shift.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
This is kind of tough for me since I am partial to the Gary Hoey version (and if ya don't have Ho-Ho-Hoey in yer collection, I recommend it, although you have to like heavy duty axe playing with yer egg nog)....
ReplyDeleteI liked both of these, but I think I'm going to go with the Piano Guys.
Larry
I am going to hate the flak I get for admitting this but I don't have a Gary Hoey in my collection.
DeletePiano Guys. Gotcha.
THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!!! As a vocalist who's performed in many, many an A Capella group, I swoon for the Pentatonix one, but Piano Guys--I adore their song and have for a LONG time.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that's it. I can't vote. Sorry. Correction! I will vote for BOTH! =)
Vote for BOTH. You do realize that the same is voting for none???? hahahaha.
DeleteThe first one showed more raw talent, and it gets my vote. It's amazing. Plus, though it's a Xmas song, it sounded reminiscent of Fiddler on the Roof. This Jewish gal likes that.
ReplyDeleteBe well, Robin.
Have a great weekend.
xoRobyn
Yes, I can see that:)
DeleteDid I read mention of the word "ferret"? You know us Jack Russell dogs are rather happy to go ferret chasing. However, being a refined Jack Russell, I would never do that.
ReplyDeleteI much preferred the first video. More comfort and joy. The second version made me want to violently vomit.
A pawsitive weekend to you,
Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!
Violently vomit??? Penny, you have such strong opinions for such a little dog. Feisty is the word when I think of you.
DeletePiano Guys it is.
I must express my compliments for the editions musical of this post.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful the music of the "ThePianoGuys."
But I have been spellbound from the musical edition "Where Macaws You Christmas" of the ThePianoGuyses, from the sweet voice of the singer child, and from the musical notes of the artist.
Piano Guys then!
DeleteI guess I found both of them equally repetitious and annoying to some extent. But it is a repetitious song that have been overdone.
ReplyDeleteThey were both well performed. I'm a sucker for the cello but I didn't get enough of the style of cello playing I prefer in that version. The "Merry Gentlemen" intrusion was nicely done, but didn't win me over that much.
There was a little more variation to the vocal version so that won me over a bit more, but I still found it to be somewhat annoying. Picking one I guess I'd go with the vocal version so long as I didn't have to listen to it very often.
I might have liked the Steamroller version better or the treacly chorus of children's voices I used to hear when I was a kid. That chorus would have probably won if I'd been given that option. I have no idea who did it though.
So the singers win but the cello is close second. I liked the cello video better as far as look goes.
Lee
Tossing It Out
I am sorry that neither of these lit your fire, Lee. I will mark you down for the Pentatonix version. Maybe next time will be better....
DeleteI liked the second video, I've never heard of them until now, but I'm going with The Piano Guys for this battle. I love how happy and upbeat he is, and I love the Christmas backgrounds too. But visuals aside, I like the music better too.
ReplyDeleteI put that particular song (Piano Guys) on my blog last year because I liked it so much. I was delighted to see it here, I'd forgotten about them. And now I'm going to buy the DVD or CD, so you've just inadvertently made them a sale too. :)
A sale for The Piano Guys. That is a much bigger win than this little blog was even seeking.
DeleteDidn't know any of these. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNo vote?
DeleteI could listen to The Piano Guys all day. :)
ReplyDeleteOne vote for The Piano Guys. I agree. I think I might need to buy a CD or something...
DeleteI did enjoy the videos, but I don't know if it's my age or what, but I tend to like the older versions of things better. I mean no one can sing White Christmas like Bing Crosby!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, you will get your wish. I have Christmas carols lined up until Christmas in the BOTB bouts. OF COURSE, there will be traditionalists like Bing in the line-up.
DeleteI take it you are not voting for either of these two...
I'm just a sucker for a capella, so that's my tiebreaker between them. So Pantatonix gets my vote. But wow, The Piano Guys are just so darn talented. I might have to check out their other stuff too.
ReplyDeletePentatonix is amazing. I listen to that and find it so hard to believe that there are NO instruments. What people can do with their voices... WOW!
DeleteI rather liked the cello so The Piano Guys get my vote - I guess I like stringed instruments over a capella :)
ReplyDeleteA tough one, indeed. While I enjoyed the cello version, I'm in awe of what gifted vocalists can do without benefit of instruments. I'm giving my vote to Pentatonix.
ReplyDeleteBut, I'm going to add that I prefer the more traditional versions of Carol of the Bells. I get old fashioned about Christmas.
My vote is #1. I like the cello. I generally love a cappella also, but the videos threw me off. I could not get into the second one, whereas the first one reminded me of Christmas, and streams I used to fish in Vermont. I could listen to #1 all day. With #2, even sans video, I could handle maybe one or two tunes.
ReplyDelete