The IWSG meets on the first Wednesday of the month... and voila.
My writing is still in what I think of as "charging mode." I'm spending time trying to really get a handle on who my characters are, the world they live in, how they perceive the people around them, and all the stuff that makes the story real. If you can't walk around in this world and feel like you can touch all the edges then it still isn't right. I read my story and some of edges are still fuzzy. So I think. And ponder and consider backstory that will very likely never ever see the inside of the novel, but my character needs to know this stuff, because my character lived this stuff. And in my character's world this is very, very real. Or it should be. I want it be. The books I love most are the ones where it feels so acutely real that I could curl up in there and not leave. That's my goal. What's yours?
Before I get down to the battle, I want to take a moment to thank FAE for thinking up Battle of the Bands. Once upon a time she was lacking for an idea to use as a blog and decided to pit two bands together using the same song. Stephen T. McCarthy liked the idea so much he convinced her to make it a "thing." Well that thing turned into this thing (see the list at the bottom of the post), and the rest is history. A few years went by, and we are here. FAE has decided to turn her attention to other things. She will be sorely missed, but we who carry on her legacy will be grateful that she started this project in which we get together twice a month. She'll forever and always be OUR Battle of the Bands Angel, which coincides nicely with what I've got going on here today. Happy trails, FAE!
Ironically, or maybe not so ironically, you guys gave me a tremendous amount of material for BoTB during the A to Z. So, today I'm presenting you with a song I discovered because one of you (Stephen T. McCarthy, I'm looking at you!) used it for the keyword Angel.
The song is You Angel You. The contenders are Bob Dylan and Manfred Mann's Earth Band. The song was originally released on Dylan's 1974 album Planet Waves. Manfred Mann's Earth Band released it in 1979 on their Angel Station album. It wasn't a hit record for either artist, but it has a chance of becoming a hit with you guys today. You cast votes to decide who exactly did it better!!!
You Angel You by Bob Dylan:
You Angel You by Manfred Mann's Earth Band:
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:
- Stephen T. McCarthy's Battle of the Bands Blog
- Tossing it Out
- Mike's Ramblings
- Curious as a Cathy
- Book Lover
- The Sound of One Hand Typing
- dcrelief ~ Battle of the Bands
- Cherdo on the Flipside
- Angels Bark
- THE DOGLADY'S DEN
- Jingle Jangle Jungle
- Janie Junebug Righting and Editing
- NovelBrews
- J.A. Scott
- Quiet Laughter
- Holli's Hoots and Hollers
- beReInVintaged
Manfred Mann's sounded more modern and fuller. And hate to say it, but I just don't like Dylan's voice.
ReplyDeleteI thought for sure I'd be casting my vote for Manfred Mann, but the quirkiness of Bob Dylan sucked me in.
ReplyDeletePlease give my vote to Bob Dylan.
Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Manfred Mann had a great version of You Angel You, but I'm right there with my pal, Mary: the quirkiness and uniqueness of Dylan just worked better for me.
ReplyDeleteBesides, he's DYLAN.
So nice of you to tip your hat to dear FAE. She's a keeper and I hope she realizes we love her.
A VOTE FOR DYLAN, in the bag!
If you're not changing then you're standing still and the world is passing you by. I enjoy getting immersed in a world where I don't want to leave. I guess that's part of the old show biz adage "Always leave them wanting more."
ReplyDeleteI like the musical back up on Dylan's version, but the vocals are typical Dylan. He's alright, but the covers of his song are usually better suited for my ears.
This is the case with this song. The original Dylan version is fine, but Manfred Mann takes the song to a new level which is preferable to me.
What does this mean? It means my vote goes to Manfred Mann's Earth Band. I especially like the instrumentation arrangement--some cool stuff there.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Sad to see a founding member leave the group. Best wishes to FAE!
ReplyDeleteThe Bob Dylan video wasn't available in Canada, but I found an alternative HERE. Based on that, I will vote for Bob this time. Usually I don't like his vocals all that much, but he did well here and the arrangement was more appealing also.
I don't like Dylan's voice or the musical background of Manfred Mann's, but Dylan's voice annoys me more, so I vote for Manfred Mann.
ReplyDeleteWas it a coincidence that you and Stephen T. featured songs from Dylan and The Band period?
ReplyDeleteThis is a little tougher than Stephen's post, as the Dylan piece here is far better than the live version he selected (dying to read his rationale when he posts it).
I was pretty close to voting against Dylan twice in one day, but a second listen changed my mind-vote for DYLAN.
Larry
This is odd-this post does not appear on my dashboard.
DeleteIt could be because I wrote it over a month ago and accidentally set it to publish on May 15 (with my OTHER Battle of the Bands, so I had two at the same time for a few hours). I reset this one. I thought to June (turns out to July), edited to include the IWSG, then again to include the bit for FAE, and then again when I realized it was scheduled (yet again) for the wrong day. Let's just say this post has been a bit problematic in the scheduling department. That may be why your dashboard is confused.
DeleteThis must be Bob Dylan week, with two BOTBs featuring his songs. Still, I like Manfred Mann's Earth Band better.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. A book that makes me want to exist within it's pages is my favorite too. I hope I make my readers feel like that. So like you, that is what I aspire to do. Wishing you well.
ReplyDeleteGIRL WONDER ~
ReplyDeleteI spoke with FAE last night. She's "on the road" right now, going out of state to visit relatives. She saw your Battle on her phone and said she was touched by your tribute to her. She will be by later to vote and comment.
This is a tough Battle for me because I like both recordings, and you know I've been a Dylan fan ever since he taught me how to write and think outside-the-box.
I'm going to vote "Dylan" because I'm a fan of American Roots Rock, he is the writer, and with 'The Band' backing him, it's just spot-on.
But this was much harder than you protly think, because I do believe Manfred Mann's Earth Band did a great job of taking this Roots Rock song and putting their own stamp on it, and I'm a fan of MMEB anyway.
This was also a great Battle because it showcased how much arrangements can completely alter a song into almost an entirely different entity.
And thanks for holding out on posting this one until this time. It's been nice workin' wid ya, You Wonder You.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
You're so right. I like a book that helps me escape and makes me want never to return!
ReplyDeleteHey Robin,
ReplyDeleteGreat battle! I never heard this song before and I like it.
I'm giving my vote to Manford Mann's Earth Band. I like what they did with it. I like Dylan but I've never been a huge fan of his vocals, so it's MMEB for me.
Michele at Angels Bark
Wow! I'm having a tough time here. I don't know the song and I like both versions. MMEB surely takes it over the top but Dylan is so solid. His version has that personal, "I'm singing to YOU" feel. Love that.
ReplyDeleteVote for Dylan!
Best of luck on your writing, and other life stuff. :)
I think this song fits Bob Dylan more. Both were good, but the overall feel was much better felt in the Bob Dylan version.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Bob Dylan because for once I can understand some of the lyrics old mumbler is singing. It seems more appropriate for him, too.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Hey, there's your IWSG post!
ReplyDeleteI want it to sound real as well. Keep working on the fuzzy edges.
Robin, I'm not Bob Dylan fan. I think his vocals work against him at time. Manford Mann's Earth Band gets my vote for their danceable version and I prefer their voices over Dylan. Cool battle! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of anything by Bob Dylan but I cannot hear the version you have here (discrimination against Canada again) so I'll vote for Bob on principle. I did listen to Manfred Mann, but didn't care for it.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin, You're two for two, as I liked both your IWSG and BOTB posts. You also gave a very nice tribute to FAE. Manfred Mann gets my vote, as I prefer his smoother sound.
ReplyDeleteJulie
My vote is for Dylan, the other ones intro was super long and Dylan's had more emotion to it .
ReplyDeleteOh I give this to Dylan all the way. I was invested in the song and the way he sang it and the guitar...it was great. the other version was just nothing special. I have heard that style many times and it could have been any song to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm here! I didn't forget! And it really was a difficult choice. Both versions are great, but ultimately I feel like it fits Dylan's style, so I give the edge to him, even if Manfred Mann did exceptionally well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words. I do appreciate it. To see my full THANK YOU, please visit STMcC and read my comment there.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there should be any doubt where my vote would fall, but just in case. Give it to Bob.
I never never thought I'd pick Bob Dylan in a BOB but I think his version blew the other's away. My vote to Dylan.
ReplyDeleteThose are the best books. Kudos to you for raeching for the brass ring for your readers!
ReplyDeleteOkay... Tough choices here, Robin. Dylan is... well, Dylan—and I'm a huge fan, so I wasn't prepared to like the Manfred Mann version so much. Wow. I suppose it comes down to personality, though. I mean musically. Dylan's music has so much of it... It's so him, and you'd never confuse him with anyone else. Mann, although musically accomplished, doesn't have quite that level of distinctiveness. I could listen to either version over and over, and enjoy both tremendously, but—since I have to pick—I'm going with Dylan's uniqueness. (Sorry, Manfred.)
ReplyDeleteGreat battle, Robin!
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter
I don't think I've ever heard that song by either artist. But I'll go with Dylan.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Bob Dylan's more classic feel.
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts to you, Robin.
Agreed - the best fictional worlds are the ones that feel like they could be real.
ReplyDelete