Another “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” BOTB Showdown

Posted on November 1, 2023

In case you’re wondering in November 2014, I presented Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep BOTB.  I heard this Irvin Berlin song for the first time in the holiday classic White Christmas starring Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney.  I can’t begin to tell you how deeply the words touch my heart.  Anyone whose gone through bad times understand how precious the good days are and so the lyrics really resonate with me.   

I picked two contrasting voices for today’s showdown. Both are moving in different ways and deserving a spot in this battle to capture your vote. Please listen to decide which you like the best.

Contender #1 Jimmy Durante
Contender #2 Johnny Mathis

Polls close at noon (ET) on Nov. 7th!

I encourage you to check out the other battles underway today. Participants are listed in my side bar beneath the BOTB banner.  That concludes another segment of Battle of the Bands.  Next week, I’ll publish the results of this showdown.  Don’t forget to leave your vote for your favorite artist in comments. This is CAAC signing off, have a bandtastic day!  X💋X💋, Cathy

Who gets your vote, Jimmy Durante or Johnny Mathis?



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31 thoughts on “Another “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” BOTB Showdown”

  1. This is a tough one. I am setting the emotions aside, and based on my my personal opinion, Johnny Mathis turned in a technically perfect performance on this tune. It all came together for me.

    Thanks for your time this time; until next time, so long… Myke

    Vote: Johnny Mathis

  6. Hi, Cathy!

    At long last, I am returning to blogging this week, dear friend. You and I both know that much has happened on both sides of the screen in the five months that I’ve been gone – some of it good and some of it not. I am still very busy, working day and night with Mrs. Shady to take care of all the details required to set up housekeeping in a new house, a new city, a new state and a new region of the country. For example, we were on the road all day today and this is my first opportunity to log on and visit you. I have missed you and my good buddy Foghorn Leghorn 🙂 and I am happy to be back visiting my dear friend at CAAC, a blog spot that always offers fun and entertainment.

    Now let me turn to your November 1 Band Battle. Like you, I am deeply touched whenever I listen to “Count Your Blessings.” I have known the song since childhood and took the words to heart from the very start. In your battle, both gentlemen did fine renditions, but I am voting for The Great Schnozzola, Jimmy Durante, because the song is ideally suited for someone like him who often portrayed characters who are down on their luck and going through hard times. Jimmy’s version put a lump in my throat, and it’s my Pick To Click in your contest.

    I wanted to let you know that I will be publishing my first new post this Saturday, November 4, and I hope you can swing by to take a peek. I hope you and your family are well and in good spirits as we race forward toward the end of year holidays.

    Blessings to you, dear friend Cathy!

    1. Tom,

      Welcome back, my friend! I’m sorry your comment was held for approval and that I didn’t see it until you brought it to my attention. I’m really scattered brain anymore. I was just wondering now that you’re up north again, how was your first fall back? I imagine it was a wonderful new-like experience after such a long absence of seeing autumn colors and now chilly, chilly temperatures. I’m glad to have you back and am happy you went with Jimmy Durante in this battle. His version put a lump in my throat, too. I just feel the words so much! Thanks for the heads up on your first post following your return to blogging. I will do my bestest to get over to your place over the weekend!

  7. CAThy! It’s That You!!

    Jimmy Durante had a ton of character in his voice. A singing voice doesn’t have to be great, so long as it can convey the mood of a song (Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, anybody?) Every single Christmas season I watch the animated classic ‘Frosty, The Red-Nosed Snowman’, because it just wouldn’t be Christmas without Durante singing that song and narrating the story!

    Unfortunately for Durante, however, I grew up listening to Johnny Mathis (my Ma loved his Christmas songs) and he has perhaps the greatest voice ever. It’s just not fair. Poor Jimmy. Jiminy Crickets!! I just gotta go with Johnny.

    You’ve got a terrific Battle going on here.

    ~ D-FensDogG

    1. Stephen,

      Jimmy Durante was a big part of my childhood, too. I remember braving my grandparents very cold living room in the basement that wasn’t heated to watch Frosty the Snowman one December. The memories today fill me with warmth. I have your name down beside Jimmy Mathis. Thanks for voting!

  8. I gotta go with Johnny Mathis! I actually met him once when I was 14 and a busboy at the hotel he was staying at when he was doing a concert in town. I got to deliver room service to him.

  9. Oh there’s no denying the beauty of Johnny’s voice. And Durante can’t sing for beans, but he sounded as sincere as my grandpa always did! I didn’t know he ever sang anything but Durante gets my vote.
    ~ diedre
    (second try at posting)

    1. Diedre,

      You just don’t think of Jimmy Durante as a singer but I remember him from my childhood opening the Christmas TV cartoon singing “Frosty the Snowman”. I believe he did some singing in some of the old movies he was in, too. Anyway, thanks for casting your vote for the under dog in this showdown!

  11. My heat belongs to the big shnaz…Jimmy Durante. He reminds me of a dad or granddad singing this to his grandchild. It’s not perfect but it’s done with soul. Besides, I was never a Mathis fan.

  12. My own blessings are so numerous that this song hits home.

    Johnny Mathis definitely sings it better, but to me the real feeling comes from Durante’s version. He delivers well on songs such as this.

    Give my vote to Jimmy Durante.

    Lee

    1. Lee,

      Oh yes, my blessings are many, too. I got the same impression with Durante’s cover that he really felt the words which pulls at my heart strings because he made the lyrics so relatable to the listener. Maybe, that’s an easy thing to do for those who identify with the words. Another vote goes to Jimmy Durante!

  13. Johnny Manthis has my vote and I’m pretty sure this will be a landslide in his favor.

    Have a fabulous day and rest of the week, Cathy. Happy November. Big hug. ♥

  14. Jimmy Durante can’t sing as well as Johnny Mathis. In fact, Durante can’t sing very well at all, but he really puts his heart behind it. Johnny did his usual wonderful take on the song, but I have to go with Jimmy.

    1. John,

      Oh sure, Jimmy can sing. His voice is one that you just wouldn’t want to listen to all the time. He carries a tune so that’s a plus and he has a distinct voice. There’s no mistaking who it is behind the mic. He definitely puts a lot of heart into his recording and I’m glad you went with Jimmy Durante!

  15. I remember this song, but didn’t know Jimmy Durante did a version of it. To be honest, I prefer the smooth tones of Johnny Mathis. Interesting match up, though! 🙂

    1. Debbie,

      I thought the contrasting artists was a good idea but I have to admit I was a bit nervous about letting them face off. I’m glad that I went this direction, though.

      First vote goes to Johnny Mathis!

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