Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Battle of the Bands ~ Walkin' After Midnight

 Last week, right after I got over my cold, my mom wanted to go to karaoke. I was game. I like to sing different songs (constantly) and so I spent a while on YouTube listening to different things. I came across Walkin' After Midnight by the late, great Patsy Cline. I did end up singing it (if you were remotely curious), but I also noticed some COVERS of that song running down the sidebar. Of course, that made me think of Battle of the Bands. So, I started playing some and was pleasantly surprised. (Sometimes the cover is an attempt to sound just like the original... and while I understand this... it doesn't make for a very good "battle.")



I am not going to use the original Patsy Cline version of this song. I suspect she would run away with the vote, and what fun would that be?

Instead, it will be Kelly Clarkson versus Girl In A Coma. I'd never heard of the band Girl In A Coma prior to this listening. Anyone else ever heard them before???? Anyway, let's get down to business.

First up, the unknown (to me) Girl In A Coma. I couldn't find any version other than the official video that had excellent sound quality. So, if you are persuaded (positively or negatively) by the images, close your eyes! :)




In contrast, here is Kelly Clarkson singing the same song. You can keep your eyes open for this one.




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

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! 

30 comments:

  1. I really dig Girl in a Coma's version. I just loved her melodic voice. Hers sounded a bit more unique to me. Of course, I'm not familiar with Patsy's original so perhaps I'm not the best to cast a vote.

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  2. Clarkson has a soulful voice to hers, and it's not bad, but I am giving Girl in a Coma the vote for this one. I liked it better.

    That being said I love, love, love the original and I'm just glad there are remakes to keep it alive. :)

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  3. I liked the GIAC version, but it seemed to have more of a "novelty" rendition feel to me. Still, it was really good, and I was sure I would vote for me before hearing Kelly's version. And when I listened to Kelly's I was very pleasantly surprised. Bluesy, rootsy, and soulful with powerful vocals that worked very well in this version.

    I have to give this one to Kelly.

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  4. I really thought I'd vote for K-Clarkson, but I'm not! The song fit Girl in a Coma better… her sound is perfect for the song.

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  5. Great song to 'BOTB', GIRL WONDER!

    The first one... sheesh! I did like the electric guitar in that version (reminded me of the tone Gary Moore sometimes used). But other than that, I strongly suggest that the Girl In A Coma take that dress of hers and go back to the cantina and serve them cervezas.

    Kelly Clarkson... I've heard the name a million times but have probably never heard her sing before. Didn't she win on the TV show 'American Idol'? I've never seen that show but I believe she was a winning contestant some years ago. Dat so?

    Kelly's version was excellent. It starts out with that standard Blues lick and then shifts into Jazz with the horn. And Kelly's vocal is really cool. Yeah, it's very derivative of many classic Blues vocals so she scores zero points for originality. Nevertheless, she mimics that Blues style really well and the horn is wonderful.

    Kelly probably has never really lived the Blues but she fakes it very, very well and I loved the overall sound of her "cover of covers". She wins my vote with ease.

    Superb 'BOTB' installment, Robin, because of the tremendous contrast between the two versions - both of which have something to like about them.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. StMc, given that I have a TV blog... I bet you think I know EVERYTHING about what's on TV. Well, I know quite a bit (cough cough) but I don't watch much reality TV (except Dancing With the Stars... don't say anything!) so I don't watch any of those wanna be singer shows. BUT, I am pretty sure that KC did win American Idol... She might have been the first to win actually.

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    2. ROBIN ~
      I don't watch TV - the "reality" kind or any other kind. But a woman where I work suggested I give 'Duck Dynasty' a chance. I did, and found it entertaining. I'm now on Season 2 with my rentals from NetFlix.

      By the way, this time next week I will know what I think of 'Sleepy Hollow' as it's "in the mail" from NetFlix as I type these words.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  6. Clever, clever Robin. Great reasoning that Patsy would win hands down as her songs are so ingrained in our heads. That "girl in a coma" did spark a lot of interest with me, though. She reminded me of my granddaughter for one thing.... boots, short skirt, voice et al. And who could deny the back ground dancers were not the perkiest of the perk. The ending was a real turn off for me..... destroying the guitar and the set. I'm never a fan of destruction but I guess it's the voice and arrangement we're to judge, not the video, itself.

    Much as I liked the novelty of first little gal, I have to go with Kelly. The blues beat went right down to mah sweet little (lie, big) danc'n feet and I was remembering the sweet hip sway'n of doing West Coast Swing. Dang, I always loved that dance. How do I always get back to dancing? But Kelly has a strong, taking-control, type of voice so she is number one for me.

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  7. So far, this is looking a real contest. Whoooeeee! Thank you for voting everyone!

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  8. I'm going with Girl in a Coma. Her voice seems to fit the song better. My parents were huge Patsy Cline fans

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  9. Kelly has a great voice, but I like the faster pace and flair of Girl in a Coma. (Although the lead can't lip synch to save her life.)

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  10. The Coma Girls do a nice job, but I've got to hand this win to Kelly. Better delivery, arrangement, playing, singing, etc, etc. I like the lopey feel of the smoky barroom sound though thankfully I didn't have to deal with the smoke. Good stuff.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  11. Even if I did not like KC's version better, I'd have voted for it.

    I liked GIAC ok, but they were one of the bands who piled on the "Boycott Arizona" bandwagon a few years back when the entire country misinterpreted the intent of the state law requiring people to be able to produce identification upon request (a law that actually did not need to be passed since another, far older law on the books already gave law enforcement officials the right to request it).

    As a result, I boycott bands like Girl In A Coma, Los Lobos, and Tom Morello. I do not mind a differing viewpoint, but get all the facts.

    Back to the music. Kelly Clarkson's version is far better anyway, so score one for the American Idol winner.

    Larry

    PS-sorry for the rant-I have a chip n my shoulder about that issue

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    1. Other people ranting amuses me. So go for it. Unless you're ranting ABOUT me... then, I would prefer if you did it on a forum where I couldn't see it or hear it. ha!

      I didn't know ANYTHING about Girl In A Coma when I chose them for this battle. They just had a "rock" version of a country song while Kelly had a "bluesy" version of a country song. I liked the differences.

      I am glad you actually preferred KC's version. I hate to vote for folks I don't much like. Arlee pushed me into that yesterday.

      YLEEY???? If you are reading this, Lee... it's the end of my rant.

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  12. So, we have a rock version and a blues version of a country song. I like it!

    I have to go with Kelly Clarkson's bluesier version. I'm certain Girl in a Coma does other music well, just not this one.

    John Holton
    The Sound Of One Hand Typing

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  13. Oops! Did I post an entire comment about GIAC and never once use the words "lesbians" or "lezbos"?

    Well, allow me to correct that oversight...

    Lesbians

    Lezbos

    OK, I now feel appropriately Politically Incorrect. Thanks, Robin.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    Replies
    1. A politically incorrect party? My favorite.

      Lez be friends?

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  14. When will I ever learn to listen. I should have kept my eyes closed during that first video. I don't let the video sway my vote, but those women were downright scary. That said their vocals weren't as bad as the girls looked. And what is with that 'trash the musical instruments' at the end. Are you kidding me? that's been so over done by better.

    I'm not a BIG fan of Kelly Clarkson, BUT on this one she really nailed it. Her vocals are superb and I love the horns and that lazy guitar. Give my vote to the real woman - Kelly Clarkson, she certainly did Patsy proud.

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  15. My vote goes to Patsy... oh, I can't do that, eh? My vote will be less influenced by video that LC's comment. I don't actively seek out which acts are empty-headed communists, but once I know, they better hope they have a freaking tremendous hook. Kelly, btw, I enjoyed more anyway.

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  16. Compared to Patsy, we would all be in a coma singing that song. Kelly Clarkson did a super job. When I heard the first version, it reminded me of that scene in the Neil Diamond version of "The Jazz Singer" when the music studio decides to go with the rock version of "Love on the Rocks" to everyone's chagrin. Kelly is the winner!

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  17. Someone else mentioned Girl in a Coma being a novelty, and I think that's why I like it but I don't love it. But Kelly Clarkson's version, with its bluesy sound and her awesome voice, just nails it... well, as much as she could compared to Patsy. Easy vote for KC over here.

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  18. Kelly Clarkson all the way. her voice is stronger and has more "torch" to it. I am certain she never lived a torch singer's life but she has the feel of the song and the maturity of it. The first one is quite good and enjoyable but doesn't reach the depth of the second along with the trumpet which just works so well

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  19. I wasn't crazy about the first version (yeah, I forgot to close my eyes) so I expected to like Kelly's better. Unfortunately, I didn't. So I'm reluctantly going with Girl in a Coma.

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  20. I was sure I'd like Kelly better, but I will give my vote to the new Girl in a Coma. She has a voice nearly as sweet as Patsy's.

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  21. Robin: I like Kelly's version so much better that I decided to vote twice and hope you miss it. As a citizen of 2014 America, I take full responsibility. That means I'm honest, right?

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  22. I am voting for Kelly. I prefer her bluesie quality and I think she sings it with much more feeling.

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  23. Have to go with Kelly Clarkson, although they sound a bit similar, Kelly's has less affectations. Neither is as good as Patsy Kline. I listened to her original, too.

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  24. Another tough battle. I enjoyed both versions, but agree with Liza about Kelly's "bluesie quality." I also like the instrumentals better on Kelly's song. I wish you would've shared your karaoke version with us! I'm sure the crowd went wild!

    Julie

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  25. I will go with Kelly due to instrumentation

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  26. I'm sorry for not getting over before now and although my vote doesn't count, I just wanted you to know, if I had the chance cast one then I would have definitely gone with Kelly Clarkson. I love her jazzy/bluezy rendition over Girl in a Coma's cover. See you next month!

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