(You can thank me for that visual in the comments.)
So, I'm not going to sugar coat it. (I mean, you're too smart for that anyway.) We both know that sometimes I just don't put these things together well. I would've had a much better battle if I'd have put the Kate Bush original up against Greg Laswell. As it was, I ended up with a blowout. That ain't no fun. Honestly, I was so bored with it when I realized how it was going down that I just stopped checking on it. Plus, there were other things happening in the news that had me distracted. And there are always migraines.
Given all of those things, I realized I really wanted a FUN battle this time. I mean we NEED some fun. AmIRight?
Mom and I went with some friends to the dinner theatre this week to see Annie Get Your Gun. It's a musical that was made into a movie back in 1950. The music was written by Irving Berlin. If you haven't seen it, the most famous number is probably There's No Business Like Show Business. But, I really enjoyed the duet at the end sung by Frank and Annie: Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better). And that inspired my battle for this go-round.
In the spirit of FUN, you shall vote in numerous categories (which has never been done on this here blog).
BEST ARTISTS (SINCE IT'S A DUET)
BEST PERFORMANCE (SO THE VIDEO DOES COUNT)
WHO DOES IT BETTER? ANNIE OR FRANK
In the case of the latter, and only the latter, you can abstain or call it a tie. That would be the Annie vs. Frank vote. Why? Because I said so, and I can say it louder, softer, longer, and sweeter! ;)
First up is the movie version from 1950. Frank is played by Howard Keel and Annie by Betty Hutton. So, if you like this version it's a vote for Keel and Hutton.
The Sound of Musicals was a 2006 four part BBC series starring several different musical theatre actors and some other professional singers who performed acts from different musicals. Each week the standard cast was joined by a celebrity guest host who also performed their favorite numbers.It aired weekly (every Saturday) for four weeks starting Saturday 14 January 2006. In Episode One, John Barrowman and Ruthie Henshall sang Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better). If you like this version best, vote Barrowman and Henshall.
Okay, remember that there are multiple votes to be cast this time. The first vote is strictly for which couple SANG it best. The second vote is for which PERFORMANCE you enjoyed most. And the last (optional) vote is for who won the battle within the battle and who actually did it better... Annie or Frank. 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. I've stopped trying to keep up with who is running a battle and who isn't. To see who is participating, go here: Stephen T. McCarthy's Battle of the Bands Blog.
Those blowouts can happen, but I think it's worth a shot when we're feeling something interesting about the contest.
ReplyDeleteToday's match is one of those kind of love/hate songs for me. I find it a little annoying to listen to, but it's often fun to experience the performance. I've seen this done on so many old TV variety shows. Fun stuff.
Of the performances you presented, just listening I prefer the second, but with visuals I like the first better. AS far as the pairing goes I think I prefer the second, but best performer overall in my opinion goes to Howard Keel--I always liked him in films and he is such a penultimate Broadway musical performer.
Wow, so out of all that which one wins the Battle? Taking all things into consideration I'm going with the Keel and Hutton clip since it's in context with the musical. Hope that all makes sense, but it's kind of complicated since both performances are good.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
So, does that mean you give the SANG it vote to Barrowman/Henshall and the PERFORMANCE vote to Keel/Hutton? And you didn't vote at all on Frank vs. Annie. Did I get it right?
DeleteWell, gosh, I'm so confused. This is a lot to wrap my head around early in the morning--or probably anytime for that matter. So, yes, if I were just listening to the "sang" I'd go with the second duo. For the entertainment value of the performance I'm going with the first. Collectively speaking if I'm choosing between any Annie or Frank role then I'll go with Frank because the Annie can be a little annoying though comical.
DeleteI hope I didn't confuse you more because I'm confused. But I'm confused a lot these days.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Lee, I think we are both clear now!
DeleteLook at it this way... your confusion may help future voters!!!
LOL! Both are so good, so funny, such a joy! I have to go with the first one though, just because I like the performance a little better.
ReplyDeleteSo BOTH votes to Keel and Hutton. Yes? And abstain on Frank vs. Annie...
DeleteAnnie rather scares me.
ReplyDeleteSecond one is better, performances are close - will give nudge to first one, and Frank is better.
Barryman and Henshaw gets my vote (the second version) I like the interaction better in the visual, plus it sounds more vivacious. Betty Hutton's voice is a bit harsh to my ears, at least what I listened to. I wanted to listen longer to the second version. I'd say Henshaw was the better of the two.
ReplyDeleteBEST ARTISTS Barrowman and Henshall
ReplyDeleteBEST PERFORMANCE Barrowman and Henshall
WHO DOES IT BETTER? ANNIE
~Mary
I'm going with the Annie version. I'm not a fan of the lilted R's in version 2. Yes, I'm nit picking.
ReplyDeleteFun (and competitive) Battle, GIRL WONDER.
ReplyDeleteI'll begin with a personal note:
I had a girlfriend who was absolutely crazy about Howard Keel. She'd have dumped me in a New York second for that guy. Yeah, a guy named "Howard". (But then what woman wouldn't drop me for Howard Keel, eh?)
Alright, JOHN & RUTHIE perform this with such a loose spirit of fun that they're sweeping my votes.
BEST SINGING PERFORMANCE: J & R
Betty Hutton's voice kind of grates on me a little.
BEST PERFORMANCE: J & R
They have great chemistry together and act as if it's more good-natured ribbing than an actual heated argument, which the Keel & Hutton performance conveys.
WHO DOES IT BETTER?: RUTHIE HENSHALL as "Annie" does it best. She comes across as very likeable. In fact, she has a couple mannerisms that kind of remind me of PATRICIA HEATON who played "Debra Barone" in 'EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND', and Patricia was my favorite cast member of that show. (Followed VERY closely by Doris Roberts.)
Neat Battle, GW.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
I'm going with the movie version, with Keel and Hutton. It maintained more of the competitive spirit and the argumentative tone. Good battle!
ReplyDeleteWow, a lot of ways to analyse this... First thoughts: THAT'S Howard Keel? Ahem, sorry, too many episodes of Dallas. Second is being a Doctor Who fan, I hadda laugh at Barrowman's line "Coulda fooled me..."
ReplyDeleteAnyway, let's see here. I give best acting performance to... K&H by a whisker. Best singing performance... prolly the same. Who does it better- I'll go Hutton, Henshall, Barrowman and Keel in that order.
I think Howard Keel is under-rated now as an actor especially since most only know him from Dallas. I give everything to Keel and Hutton. Betty Hutton was never my favourite actress but I find they knew how to deal with this song better than the newer kids on the block. Keel and Hutton for all 3. I wonder what we would have thought if Judy Garland wasn't fired from this role.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I give the first video the award of best performance. It was more believable in the setting they were given.
ReplyDeleteBut the actual singing performance, I would have to go with the second video. Don't get me wrong, I like the performance of the second one, in fact I enjoyed the humour quite well. As you know, I love all things British.
Now let's get to the third requirement, the battle within the battle.
For the first video, I will go with Betty beating Howard. She was full into the scene and he seemed kind of wooden.
For the second video, I have to give it to John Barrowman. I had forgotten he was also a singer. Perhaps I will have to use him in my next Doctor Who singing theme. No, the fact he's in Doctor Who has nothing to do with my decision. Hmmmmm, well maybe a little. ;)
But, it's my vote and that's how the chips fall.
Since this was one of my favorite movies growing up, it was hard to even consider any other version. But I did. And I still come out this way: Best Artists, Hutton and Keel. Best performance, Hutton and Keel. And who does it better? Hutton, of course. She's adorable in her over-acting, stage-production musical kind of way.
ReplyDeleteDang. I know this movie (I'm a big fan of old musicals) so when I watched the Keel/Hutton version I figured that would be my pick. But as I watched Barrowman and Henshall, their rendition kept growing on me and in the end, they had my vote. In the battle of Annie and Frank, I go with Annie in either version but that might just be because I love that character.
ReplyDeleteSide note - I recently wrote a short story title Annie Get Your Goat. I was concerned no one would get the old show reference so I hope everyone in the world visits this post so you can remind them.
What a fun battle! John Barrowman and Ruthie Henshall killed it. Best singing duo, best performance, and even though I'm a big John Barrowman fan (care of Doctor Who), I have to admit Ruthie was the better of the two.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun battle this is Robin! Love it!
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for Barrowman and Henshall, in both the duo and the performance. I didn't care for Betty Hutton: her voice got on my nerves. I really enjoyed the Barrowman/Henshall performance.
As far as who did it better, Frank or Annie, I'm going with a tie on that one. :)
We definitely did need some fun! It's been a hard few weeks...
Great battle concept Robin. I really enjoyed it.
Michele at Angels Bark
I love musicals (that may be an unpopular position to take). Shoot me!
ReplyDeleteJohn & Ruthie on the first two categories, and Ruthie all the way on best performance.
Sweet battle!
I love musicals (that may be an unpopular position to take). Shoot me!
ReplyDeleteJohn & Ruthie on the first two categories, and Ruthie all the way on best performance.
Sweet battle!
Sorry your last battle didn't go so well. Happens to all of us. As for this one, the original movie version is too ingrained and I'll have to vote for it in both categories. Annie's part is always more interesting.
ReplyDeleteBarrowman and Henshall get my vote, sounded better and the interplay was fun
ReplyDeleteMy vote goes to the first video all the way around and tie for the 3rd question.
ReplyDeleteI love Annie get your gun! I also like the Ethel Merman version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-bgYxMO5cY
That was fun, Holli. Thanks!
Delete