Thursday, January 15, 2015

Battle of the Bands ~ Cold, Cold Heart

It's that day again: the 15th of the month, and that can only mean ONE thing.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS!



I've spent so much time in the last seven days listening to Train that I suspect many of you thought it'd be a Train match-up here today. Can't say the thought didn't cross my mind, but no. (Hand to God: most of the time you lovely folks vote against the version of the song I like best, and I couldn't bear to see my beloved Train lose in one of these things.) So, we're doing something else.

The song is Cold, Cold Heart. Wikipedia actually has some interesting stuffs to say about this song. I'll let you decide how much is true. (I know what you're thinking... if it's on the Internet it MUST be true.) And still... the Internet was created by human beings. Ergo... Moving on to Wikipedia and Cold, Cold Heart.

Cold, Cold Heart" is a country music and popular music song, written by Hank Williams. This blues ballad is both a classic of honky tonk and an entry in the Great American Songbook.

Williams first recorded and released the song in 1951, originally as the B-side (MGM-10904B) to "Dear John" (MGM-10904A). "Dear John" peaked at #8 after only a brief four-week run on Billboard magazine's country music charts, but "Cold, Cold Heart" proved to be a favorite of disk jockeys and jukebox listeners, whose enthusiasm for the song catapulted it to #1 on the country music charts. The song achingly and artfully describes frustration that the singer's love and trust is unreciprocated due to a prior bad experience in the other's past.

That same year, it was recorded in a pop version by Tony Bennett[1] with a light orchestral arrangement from Percy Faith. This recording was released by Columbia Records as catalog number 39449. It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on July 20, 1951 and lasted 27 weeks on the chart, peaking at #1.[2]

The popularity of Bennett's version has been credited with helping to expose both Williams and country music to a wider national audience. Allmusic writer Bill Janovitz discusses this unlikely combination:
"That a young Italian singing waiter from Queens could find common ground with a country singer from Alabama's backwoods is testament both to Williams' skills as a writer and to Bennett's imagination and artist's ear."
Williams subsequently telephoned Bennett to say, "Tony, why did you ruin my song?" But that was a prank – in fact, Williams liked Bennett's version[1] and played it on jukeboxes whenever he could. In his autobiography The Good Life, Bennett described playing "Cold, Cold Heart" at the Grand Ole Opry later in the 1950s. He had brought his usual arrangement charts to give to the house musicians who would be backing him, but their instrumentation was different and they declined the charts. "You sing and we'll follow you," they said, and Bennett says they did so beautifully, once again recreating an unlikely artistic merger.

Me Again:
So, it started as a B-side on a country record, became more popular than the A-side, was then recorded as a pop song and charted again. Since then it's been covered by MANY people and we're going to listen to two of them today. No, I didn't choose Hank Williams or Tony Bennett for this battle (though I'm interested in your thoughts on their version if you're familiar and want to share).

One of the first people to cover this song was Louis Armstrong way back in 1951. Yep, the same year that Hank Williams recorded it. Honestly, that says something (to my way of thinking) for the universal appeal of this song.

Here is Louis Armstrong with his take on Cold, Cold Heart:



One of the things that I particularly like about this battle is that both contenders have distinctive voices (and their arrangements are very different... or different enough... whatevs). Up next is  a much more recent recording of this song by Norah Jones. Cold, Cold Heart is the third track on her 2002 album Come Away With Me. If you're unfamiliar, this debut album won five Grammys, though nothing for Cold, Cold Heart.

Here is Norah Jones with her take on Cold, Cold Heart:



For more Battle of the Bands fun, check out the other BOTB bloggers to vote on their battles:
If you are participating in Battle of the Bands, and you are not listed here, leave me a note in the comments. Thanks!

Now, is the critical moment. It is time to vote for your favorite version of this song. I even encourage you to leave me long comment explaining all the ins and outs of why you voted as you did! 

34 comments:

  1. Two very nicer versions, Robin. I like both!

    But truthfully, I found myself enjoying Nora's more. That smooth piano atop the steady bass did it for me. I'll vote for Nora.

    Excellent Battle!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Not my kind of music, but I also liked Nora's more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All I can to that Alex is that you'd have liked it a lot less if I'd used the Hank Williams country version instead of one of these. Then it would've been an "auto vote" for anyone else.

      Delete
  3. Well Louis is the best. Not just in this pairing but I mean just over all as a musician. Norah's version is fabulous for sure. I really like the singing and playing and it's very listenable. But Louis is timeless. In fact I prefer both of these versions to Hank's or Tony's.

    My vote though has gotta be for Satchmo.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was a little surprised you did not include the Lucinda Williams cover in this BOTB (I thought I remembered her being a favorite of yours).

    This was tough, as I like both versions quite well, but since Satchmo's voice has such a soothing quality for me, I am going to give him the nod.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lucinda Williams didn't fare well in the previous battle I put her in. I think her voice and style is an acquired taste, and apparently most of these voters haven't acquired it. I didn't want another shut-out. I really hoped that this would run neck and neck.

      Delete
  5. I saw the words "country music" and immediately thought "oh God no." Then I was pleasantly surprised to see the contenders. :)

    Both of those were great. Norah Jones has a great voice, but give me the tinkling of the ivories and that lovely horn over that repetitive bass (that kinda drowns out the piano a bit) any day.

    One vote for Mr. Satchmo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You just haven't heard a great country song. Honestly, the genre of country has become so broad that there is nearly something there for everyone.

      Delete
  6. I'm surprising myself by typing this, but give my vote to Norah. Both versions were pretty amazing, but I found Norah's more refreshing. Plus, I loved her voice.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, I am definitely participating again :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. GIRL WONDER ~
    I actually liked the Norah Jones version a great deal. I mean, I've heard of her, but my general impression of these new musicians is that they're lacking in real talent and originality. I think most of them make it on looks and public relation agents working in overdrive. I honestly don't think there's much that stacks up with pre-1983 music. Yeah, every once in a great while a Todd Snider comes along, but that's really, really rare.

    Norah Jones has me rethinking some of that attitude. I liked her version A LOT!

    However... (you knew "however" was coming along, right?)... Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong was not just a musical genius - he was THE musical genius. No one - NO ONE! - has had a bigger impact on American Music than Satchmo did. There is not ONE musician playing anywhere today, in any musical genre, who does not owe a nod to Satchmo.

    That doesn't mean I would ALWAYS vote Satchmo over anyone in any BOTB. In fact, on one of my own BOTB installments, I voted for Bobby Darin over Satchmo on the song 'Lazy River', even though Satchmo's version was clearly an "A". (Bobby's though was an "A+").

    Satchmo was pure genius. (I once wrote an Amazon.scum review for a Satchmo record in which I explicitly stated WHY Satchmo is THE greatest American musician of all time, and I mentioned many of the musical advances he made which musicians still emulate today.) And I'm voting for 'The Main Man', regardless of how good the Norah Jones version was.

    Excellent BOTB though, Girl Wonder.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The fact that you liked Norah Jones "a great deal" is something fantastical and wonderful to behold. I think you said something similar about the Eva Cassidy version of Autumn Leaves. No more Louis Armstrong on this blog!!!! hahahaha:)

      Delete
    2. Hey, Stephen, if you think of it, could you post a link to that review? I would not mind reading it.

      Delete
    3. LC ~
      I only just now came back here to see what's been going on since I had cast my vote. Below is the link you requested:

      THE REVEREND "SATCHMO": JAZZ JENIUS!

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  9. Hi Robin,

    Country music was something I endured, from my Dad's choice, but did not enjoy. Garth Brooks' entry into the country arena peaked my interest, but most country fans disagreed that he was "true country." Williams and I never developed a relationship. Bennett had some sweet songs but again that was one of my Mom's choices. I did like Percy Faith.

    Nora's vocal burns my ears a bit. I like the background music, without her. Something about the piano is reminiscent of pianist, Floyd Cramer. This is my first time hearing her version.

    Louis Armstrong was an early staple because of my grandfather's choices. That background jazz, and (gentle) swing can always make me smile. Can't deny that unmistakable horn blowing of his. In fact, this is the first version of "Cold, Cold Heart," that I can live with...

    My vote goes to Louis Armstrong. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm going with Satchmo on this one. Norah Jones just didn't sound right singing this.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like Norah a lot (in fact I own this CD and a few others of hers), but nobody does it better than Satchmo. Give Mr. Armstrong my vote.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am going to look like the black sheep here, but there is something in Norah's voice i... just don't care for. Satchmo for yours truly.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Satchmo for me but I don't really like the song at all. Was difficult to even listen to them all the way through.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Though both versions were very good in their own right, Louis Armstrong's horn playing really sealed the deal for me. He will always be in a class by himself.

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  15. Robin, This would be a song I'd listen to regularly regardless of who the artist is, but that being said, I felt Nora's rendition was a bit boring ~ nothing special. Louie saves the song only with his unique vocals and trumpet playing. Give my vote Louie Armstrong, please!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've heard this song so many times--Hank was a favorite in my family.

    I love Norah Jones, both her voice and music and I personally prefer hers. But I do agree that Armstrong's horn give it a different flavor. He was a phenomenal musician.

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

    ReplyDelete
  17. Robin: This is the hardest one so far for me. I love Norah and listen to her regularly. Even when writing, I often put on her CDs or tune her in on iHeart Radio. She is great, but I must cast my vote for Mr. Armstrong, another of my favorites. I have two reasons. First, the jazz. Can't beat it. Second, New Orleans was once one of my hangouts and listening to Louis brings back memories of some of the best times of my life. This battle is Frazier/Ali-like. For me, it's Louis Armstrong by split decision.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've got to go with Armstrong. His voice just makes me feel warm, fuzzy, and nostalgic.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you for voting friends! I apologize. I haven't been on blogger AT ALL for two days. So, I have been horribly lax in keeping up with comments here. Needless to say, I haven't done ANY blog reading either. I intend to make a dent in that arena today!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm going with Louis Armstrong. I just feel like all Nora's songs sound the same...

    ReplyDelete
  21. They are both excellent actually but my heart belongs to Louis. He just seems more unique in the way he sings the actual song and it left me wanting more. Norah Jones has a great voice and does well with these old standards but I still feel she is too young to really give it the flavour it needs

    ReplyDelete
  22. I loved them both - but The Satch gets my heartstrings as does does the trumpet

    ReplyDelete
  23. Robin, you are too nice of a lady to do something so incredibly mean as to place Louis Armstrong in competition with Nora Jones. Were I to choose one to listen to for hours, or as I drive or write, I'd go with Nora. Her notes melt and carry me away into a blissful state. But Louis Armstrong is Louis Armstrong, the one and only, beyond compare. No other artist has his commanding, comforting voice and talent. His music provides, somehow, a sense of salvation. Armstrong it is.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I never listened to Nora Jones before. Initially, I liked the breathy quality of her voice, and the piano, too. But it quickly wore thin for me. Just not my cuppa. Not on this song, anyway.

    I've gotta go with Armstrong. He's da man!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Norah, Norah, Norah, Norah!! I love that version of the song!! I have the Hank version too...reminds me of my gram. :) My first time hearing Louis Armstrong sing it, and I like it! But I vote Norah. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. As the send flipped by me, I thought I wrote scratchmo or something weird..... (as though Satchmo isn't weird enough) But you know what I mean. It's early for me. Ha

    ReplyDelete

You can now add YouTube videos in your comments by copy/pasting the link. AND/OR you can insert an image by surrounding the code with this: [im]code[/im]. In the case of images, make sure that your code is short and simple ending with something like .jpg. If you want to use a pic from someplace like Google Images, click on the image, then click on View Image. That is the code you want!

Dazzle Me!