Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Battle of the Bands ~ Delicious Surprise

Before I get down to the battle, I want to let you know some Big News...

I'm going back to camp!!! Yep, you read that right. Remember my post of not so long ago about the camp I grew up at (the song was Linger)? Well, I decided to go back and see how I did with it. I'm not going to have internet for three weeks. Well, I might be able to do some quick stuff on the weekends, but largely I'm going to be Unplugged until August.

If you've ever been to camp then you know the BEST time of the day is when mail is delivered. I plan on taking stationery (I know I have some!) with me to reply to letters. That said, since I will be missing your blogs sorely, I hope that you'll consider writing to me. (If you are out of ideas on what to say you can print off your blog and send it.) I think we all need to write more letters. Seriously. I really do think that! Anyway, from July 8 until August 1, you can write to me here:

Robin Richards aka Mergan
Stony Glen Camp
5300 W. Loveland Rd
Madison, OH 44057

What is a Mergan? It's short for merganser, as in duck. One of the things every graduating CILT (Counselor In Leadership Training) member does is pick a Bird Name. Yeah, a Bird Name. Well, I didn't want to be left out of that fun. No way was I going with "Robin," so for the weeks I'm at camp, I'm Mergan.

Also, this is a Traveling Day for me. As is tomorrow. (We are traveling from FL to OH) And then my brother and sister-in-law have Big Plans for the 4th of July weekend. We haven't seen them in a year, so everyone is pretty excited. What I'm trying to say here is that I will make every effort to visit all BoTBers before you close out your voting, but if I miss your battle, you know why. Vacation!


Now, let's get on with Battle of the Bands, which for the first time in months isn't merging with my Soundtrack posts. Although, I was looking for a Soundtrack song when I thought of this one. I'm not going to give you the story, but it was for junior year of college (whew! we finally made it out of sophomore year!) and there were still a whole bunch of surprises. I'll bring you the first big surprise with my next Soundtrack post and BoTB results post on the 7th. Then I'm outta here until August, so I won't be participating in Battle of the Bands on the 15th or visiting blogs past the 7th... no internet.

Holli over at Holli's Hoots and Hollers posted her Power Song here. If I had to choose a Power Song, I do believe this would be it. There is no other way to listen to this one than LOUD.

The song: I Believe It (Delicious Surprise).
The contenders: Beth Hart vs. JoDee Messina

So, let's get on with it!

Here is Beth Hart:



Here is JoDee Messina:


We've got so many new Battle of the Bands players that I'm having difficulty keeping up. (We post a new battle on the 1st and 15th of each month.) For those who've been following this feature/blog for a while now, can you believe that once upon a time -- for a long time-- there were only five of us??? Well, now the list grows each battle. So, if your name is not on here and you're participating, please leave me a message in the comments. Thanks for your patience!

 Also, please vote for the version of this song you prefer. If you want to get into the Ins and Outs of why you like one better than the other... I LOVE long comments!

For more Battle of the Bands fun, check out the other BOTB bloggers to vote on their battles:


60 comments:

  1. Wow, have a wonderful time at camp. Both of my boys have gone to the same camp in the mountains of NC since they were both 7 years old and they talk about it all year long. Sadly, this is my youngest son's last year because he ages out. It's the end of an era!

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    1. Maybe your boys will find their way back to camp as adults (counselors). There is joy in that, too.

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  2. Mergan- that sounds cool!! I will TOTALLY send you a letter and I'm excited to use some of my stationary.
    I am also doing a Battle of the Bands!! Yay my first time. Let me know what you think if you have the time.
    I liked both versions of the song . Jodee sings a song that I like called Biker Chick. I should post it some time on my blog. I think I will vote for Beth Hart though. I liked her version just a tad more.
    Have tons of fun and PLEASE travel safely. Lots of people on the roads this holiday.
    Thanks for mentioning me and my battle song!! You Rock!

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    1. Yay, I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

      Would you believe I turned my closet upside down and couldn't find the container with my stationery in it???? So, I have some old "personalized notepads" that are going to have to suffice. I even went looking for stationery and it's nearly impossible to find, which is a testament to how few letters are being written these days.

      I will make a point of listening to Biker Chick... soon?

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  3. Hello, dear Robin! I hope you are having a safe trip north and that you will enjoy experiencing life back at your old camp. If I could join you there I would quite naturally pick Dodo as my Bird Name. :) I will miss you during the unplugged phase of your journey and will eagerly await your return.

    The two contenders in this battle are evenly matched. Both deliver rousing renditions of the girl power anthem "I Believe It (Delicious Surprise)." JoDee Messina's version is like a controlled burn whereas Beth Hart's is like a wind whipped wildfire and that fiery intensity appeals to me. Please record my vote for Beth Hart, dear Robin, and please take good care of yourself up there and come back to me (us).

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    1. Dodo... hahahahaha.

      I will miss everyone here during my hiatus, BUT I think unplugging is really good for the soul. So, I'm also looking forward to THAT.

      A controlled burn vs a wind whipped wildfire... that's a good one.

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  4. Mergen - sounds magical. ☺ Enjoy your time at camp and being "unplugged". We'll (hopefully) still be here when you get back.
    I'm a huge Beth hart fan and for me, this was "no contest". Beth all the way. Her voice is fantastic! ♥

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    1. Yeah, I hope everyone is still here, too. So much can happen in a month!

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  5. Robin, whew sounds like a whole lot of fun! But, I would have serious withdrawals IF I unplugged from the net for 3-weeks. Even when I was on so-called hiatus I peeked in every now and then, but to be go cold turkey like you're fixing to do. Oh, my hands shake just thinking about it. I'll say a prayer for you, my friend. :D

    Okay, new-to-me song and artists. But, it didn't take me more than a few seconds to listen to both before I knew which one struck my happy chord, at which time I listened to my choice in its entirety.

    My vote goes to JoDee Messina! ;)

    #BOTB Star Spangled Banner Showdown ~ Spirit VS #MadisonRising

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    1. It's funny but my hands don't shake at all. I'm actually looking forward to "kicking it old school" for a while.

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  6. Have a safe trip and fun at camp. Never heard of that kind of duck.
    Susan Says

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    1. Just look at the things you learn on this blog...

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  7. Oh, GIRL WONDER, I would have found that SO FUNNY if you HAD selected "Robin" as your camp name. Talk about killing two birds with one name!

    Sorry that you will miss the 7/15 BOTB but I understand and I hope you have a blast at camp.

    This was an easy vote for me, as I didn't like Hart's version at all. For one thing, with all those over-the-top vocal pyrotechnics, I couldn't understand much of what she was shouting... er-- I mean, "singing". It was like "The Return Of Janis Joplin". No thanks!

    MESSINA's version still managed to convey passion but without assaulting the ears and while making most of the lyrics understandable.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. Yeah, I think several people questioned my not choosing Robin as my bird name. Ah well. As you know, it's kinda nice to CHOOSE your name and pick something that feels more you. Does that make sense???

      I didn't think it was fair to try and post a mid-month battle given my internet restrictions. BUT, I am posting a Soundtrack post on that day. I'll be back for the battle on the 1st.

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  8. Vote for Beth Hart here. Her voice has more... uhm... personality? Distinctiveness? Originality? All of the above? I dunno. (haha, just read Stephen's 'Return of Janis Joplin' comment--I'm a Janis fan, so that makes perfect sense :D ) Not to say Messina's version is bad or anything; it's good. I just liked Beth Joplin's better ;)
    Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

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    1. And WOW on the going back to camp thing! We'll miss you, but Unplugged is a good thing. I'm going to send you a postcard TODAY--mail from Curaçao takes forever to get anywhere, so maybe, just maybe, you'll get it before you head back home :)

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    2. Oooohhh. Thank you for sending the postcard!!! I ADORE getting mail at camp. Just love it.

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    3. I'm jealous for getting happy mail from Curacao. I want a postcard from a luxurious place like that!!!

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  9. I prefer JoDee Messina's version better. She seemed more in control of the song and I could understand her better so she gets my vote. Yes this BOTB has really grew!

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    1. BoTB is taking on a life of its own. Thanks for voting!

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  10. Well Mergan, I like the name. Careful if you fly around my burg though, duck hunters dream of their vacation all year long :) So cool you're going to write letters on actual stationary. I write with pen and paper so infrequently I seem to have lost the art. I wrote a statement for my sister last night and it just felt so foreign not to be typing. I'll try to remember to write you a letter, cuz getting mail is the best part of camp (if you don't count fire toasted marshmellows and hot dogs).

    OMG, I was so distracted by Jo Dee's cover while listening to Beth I had to click off the song, listen to Jo and go back to Beth. Had you not had one of my all time fav country ladies next to Beth, I would have voted for her. Beth was awesome, and put a lot of energy in the song. But, it so fits Jo Dee voice, and personality, I just have to vote for her.

    Have fun this weekend, and on your trip :)

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    1. Turns out I couldn't find my really nice stationery I purchased at a stationery store. It's impossible to even find one of those anymore. So... I had to bring something else. I hope people will be able to read my chicken scratch, because my handwriting is just awful. Deteriorated from lack of use.

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  11. I hope you have a special time at camp! I'm going to go for the first one, it pulsed with a brighter life for me than did JDM.

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    1. Thanks, CW. I'm really looking forward to this entire trip... from the time with family to the time at camp. It's going to be a GREAT month!

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  12. This was a 'no brainer' for me (I've had a lot of those this go round), because Beth Hart's version was so affected (I think) that I thought she was singing in another language.

    I've always kinda liked Jo Dee and at least I could understand the lyrics in her version. Som she wins by a country mile in this one for me.

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  13. Robin, you're going to my neck o' the woods! I used to live in Youngstown and I've spent a lot of time in Ashtabula and the surrounding area. I'm almost certain that I have been at the camp for some reason. Church, maybe?

    You'll have a blast.

    Great song, great artists - but I'm going to throw my vote at JO DEE MESSINA.

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    1. I grew up in Newark, Ohio. I still have family near Columbus, Akron, and spread out in southern Ohio.

      The camp is a Christian camp, so it's possible you've been there with your church!

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  14. I like Beth Hart. Great sound. Jo Dee is too country for me.

    Love,
    Janie

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  15. Love the Jodee Messina version. I liked the first version, but can't go wrong with Messina.

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    1. I like JoDee too. Beth Hart was a new find for me.

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  16. It wasn't that long ago I featured Beth Hart on my blog...I have been a fan for a long time!

    I saw Jo Dee Messina live once (got dragged to "Country Thunder" a decade or so ago), and she was entertaining except for the feigned southern accent on a Bostonian...

    But I gotta go with my girl Beth!

    Larry

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    1. Now that you say this, I kinda vaguely remember that. She was a New-To-Me artist, so I didn't recall it until you said it.

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    2. Beth Hart's story is remarkable, too-she has overcome quite a bit of adversity.

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  17. I also had trouble understanding Beth Hart. Jo Dee Messina is the clearer choice. Have a wonderful time at camp, Mergan! Your campers are lucky to have you, as I know you'll always make sure everyone is having a great time. You will be missed. Have fun!

    Julie

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    1. Thank you, Julie. I read on your blog that you're taking a summer break. I sure do hope you have a wonderful time.

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  18. I'm going with JoDee because her version is more upbeat and fun.

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  19. I've got to go with JoDee Messina. Though there was a lot of similarity between the versions, the second version by Jo Dee was easier on my ears. And it started with that fiddle lead-in so that pretty much won me over.

    Have a great vacation!

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Not the most diverse battle I've hosted, but there are differences. I should've known the fiddle would cinch this one for you.

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  20. I'll go with Jo Dee. If I want twang, I want twang all the way.
    So it's off to summer camp. Well, bless mah soul. I 'm ready
    for a summer camp too. Where do I sign up?

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    1. We arrived in Ohio a couple of days ago. Sure beats the heat of Florida. We went out to watch fireworks last night and I actually wore a jacket and long pants. Woohoo!

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  21. Robin - Okay, so you'd rather be a duck?! Ha! I hope you'll have a great vacation!! Maybe I'll send a card - my writing is quirky, though.

    Nice battle. I like the song. JoDee is the fave for me; love her voice. I vote for her.

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    1. Quirky is good.

      My handwriting is terrible. Chicken scratch really. Since I rarely write ANYTHING by hand anymore, it's gone way downhill.

      Delete
  22. Bird names. That's cute.

    I liked Jo Dee's voice a little better.

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    1. Yep. Bird names. I think it's a great idea to bridge the gap between camper (kid) and the adults. First names are inappropriate, but Ms. So and So is too formal.

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  23. Jo Dee gets my vote. I like the tune much better.

    I'm excited for all the fun that awaits for you. Enjoy, Mergan, and have a great holiday weekend.

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    1. Thus far the holiday has been great. Ohio is wonderful. Soooo cool here. We've actually had the windows open since we got here. Checked the temps where we live and it's in the 90s. Gah. So glad to be here in pleasant, cool Ohio.

      Happy 4th to you!

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  24. I liked both of these a lot. I liked Beth Hart's version just a little bit more; I thought the music sounded better.

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  25. Have a fun time at camp! I would write to you if I had antiquated things like envelopes and stamps and notebook paper. What is this, 1956?

    I vote against Beth Hart for one reason and one reason only. She sucks at pronouncing words. Like she rides in a limozaaaayuhuhn while reading a People magazaaaayuhuhn. You don't need to strain the word into another language. Just say it (or sing it).

    Jo Dee pronounces them as they were intended, so... she wins my vote.

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    1. So, I guess I won't be getting a letter from my Beer Boy. Well dang. Maybe you can get your fireball of a cat to write it. You can always write it on plain ole notebook paper and put it in a plain ole white envelope. Hint: stamps are at the post office.

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    2. P...Post... Office? You keep using these antiquated terms. I feel like I'm in another era. Is that the official office where e-mail is regulated?

      Okay, okay, when you put it THAT way I suppose I could scratch something together and send it your way. Fire up the Pony Express!

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    3. I live in antiquated terms. You're lucky I know how to fire up an email:)

      Delete
  26. That's so cool you're going to camp! I remember going to camp when I was 13, 14 and I had so much fun. I wouldn't mind going back and staying up all night and playing four-square. Have a fabulous vacation :)

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    1. I don't plan on staying up all night! Yikes. I just can't do that sort of thing any longer (and I never did it particularly well when I was younger!). But, I'm really beginning to get excited...

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  27. Going away to camp? How cool is that! I hope you have a blast.

    It's hard to believe how much the battle of the bands has gotten. As for your battle, I like the Beth Hart version best. It has an edgier sound to it, which I like, while twangy country music, on the other hand, sets my TEETH on edge. :)

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    1. Thank you, Susan. I'll tell ya'll 'bout it when I get back.

      BoTB has become VERY popular:)

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  28. Another interesting battle I enjoy both of these artists. Beth's version sounded like it had more energy so she get's my vote!

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