Country Roads #BoTB showdown
Hello Kittens & Dawgs! I’m truly a fly by your seat kinda gal when it comes to throwing together these posts of sorts or at least that’s the way I feel most of the time. I have no general direction I just go where the inspiration takes me. Today’s battle song spun from guests on this week’s Monday’s Mewsic Moves Me with dance partner, Cathy from Stunning Keisha. She mentioned one of her favorite country artists did a good job covering one on my playlist and that’s all it took. A tiny seed and bam the conception for another BoTB showdown began to grow in my head. You’re either love or hate my spin on John Denver’s classic “Country Roads” hit by two artists who changed the lyrics to suit the country roads they call home.
I was introduced to my first contender many years ago with his interesting take on another classic, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, I give you… Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.
The next contender is new-to-me but have been around since 1961, a Jamaican band, Toots and the Maytals.
Ok, here’s the drill. Voting is OPEN TO EVERYONE! There is NO wrong vote, except if you DON’T vote. Hey, you’re here so make your voice be known. Got it? 😉 In comments, tell me which artist you like best and why (optional). Who gets your vote, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole or Toots and the Maytals?
[tweetthis]Vote 4 your favorite artist in “Country Roads” #BoTB showdown! #Hawaiian #reggae #covers[/tweetthis]
You’ll find more awesome battles underway at some of these blog listed below (not everyone is doing the bi-monthly showdowns now) and if you’d like to be included in the fun, then contact Stephen requesting to be added to the list.
Angels Bark (Michele), Cherdo on the Flipside, Book Lover (Donna), The Doglady’s Den (Debbie), Your Daily Dose (Robin), Jingle Jangle Jungle (Mary), Mike’s Ramblings, Righting & Editing (Janie), STMcC Presents BoTB (Stephen, BoTB Manager), The Sound of One Hand Typing (John), & Tossing It Out (Lee).
Thanks for joining me in another round of Battle of the Bands. You may know by now, I’m cutting back on daily posts to prepare for next month’s big event, the A to Z Challenge (Theme Reveal post this weekend) but I will announce next Thursday the winner and I’m keeping to my co-host duties each week on Monday’s Music Moves Me. Come dance witih me!
X💋X💋,
Cathy
28 Comments
greyzoned/angelsbark
I have to say that I find it very interesting that the two people who hold in high regard the Christian values are the only two people here who have said derogatory things in the Comments about Israel’s looks. I find that distasteful and frankly, not very Christian.
That being said, I liked both versions of this song. I love John Denver’s version of course the best and grew up on that one. But I like the way both artists put their own special twist on the song to make it more personal to their respective homelands. I could easily listen to both and if I could I’d split my vote. But today I guess I’m in a Hawaiian mood so I’ll cast my vote for IZ.
Have a great week,
Michele at Angels Bark
Cathy Kennedy
Michele,
My lack of sensitivity about IZ’s size was poor judgment. He was a large man but what bothers me is knowing he physical pain that comes from being big. Everything we take for granted doing had to be a major ordeal for him like walking or breathing. So, when I say it’s difficult to look at him, then it’s because I hurt for the guy. I’m the same way when I see someone injured, broken contorted leg, deep gash, etc. I have to turn away temporarily to not feel that person’s pain. Your comment made me think and I do need to be careful.
Okay, moving on…thanks for casting your vote which ties things yet again.
Israel -7
Toots & the Maytals – 7
Cathy Keisha
Whoa! My vote goes to Toots & the Maytals since I love reggae but I still prefer the Jason & the Scorchers’ version. Thanks for the shoutout! See ya tomorrow.
Cathy Kennedy
Cathy,
You’re most welcome, my friend. I’m glad to give you created for my inspiration battle showdown. Thanks for voting.
Israel -6
Toots & the Maytals – 7
Cherdo
First and foremost, I have to say that I never read your bio till now – I have no idea why. But there are great similarities in our lives. We need to meet up one day for java.
Toots and the Maytals, you get my vote! The rhythm is infectious, like most of the Jamaican-esque tunes that get in your head and stick like super glue. Great battle!
Hugs,
Cherdo
Cathy Kennedy
Cherdo,
Yes, we do need to meet up someday. That would be pawsome! Thanks for stopping in to cast your vote which ties things up again. This has turned out to be more interesting that I thought it was going to be.
Israel -6
Toots & the Maytals – 6
Mike Spain
IZ gets my vote
Cathy Kennedy
Hey Mike,
Your vote evens things up. WOW, I’m amazed! Thanks for stopping by.
Israel -5
Toots & the Maytals – 5
John Holton
It figures that, by the time I get around here to listen to the contestants, the video for one would be taken down, in this case Iz’s. I found an alternate version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQJTIlKKYK8 I just hope it’s the same version you had originally intended. Regardless, that’s the one I’ll use.
I much preferred Iz’s version to Toots and the Maytals’s. I don’t especially like reggae to begin with. Plus, Iz is bigger than me, not an easy thing to be. So I’m taking his version.
Cathy Kennedy
John,
This is the second time that video has done a disappearing act on me. Wait…I just checked and it’s working on my site. Oh well..thanks for letting me know and for voting for Iz!
Israel -4
Toots & the Maytals – 5
messymimi's meanderings
Most of the time i would go with the steel drum band, but for some reason, Iz really struck me here (maybe because i would dearly love to live in Hawai’i).
Cathy Kennedy
Mimi,
Oh cool bean, your vote puts IZ ahead! Thanks for playing. 🙂
Israel -6
Toots & the Maytals – 5
Amanda
I actually like IZ’s better, it has a good sway to it. Though the Toots and the Maytals have some great energy in their version. I enjoyed how they changed the lyrics to be local, that added a nice touch to the songs. Still, it is hard to beat John Denver on that song. My mom loved John Denver and was from West Virginia so I grew up on that one, it is a classic in my mind.
Thanks so much for sharing the different versions, it’s always fun to hear something new. I’ve never heard of Toots and the Maytals before, but they have a great sound.
Have a great week!
Cathy Kennedy
Amanda,
That’s cool your mom is from my home state, what part? It’s always neat to meet someone who has a connection with wild wonderful WV. Thanks for letting me know which artist you liked the best. Have a good weekend!
Israel -3
Toots & the Maytals – 5
Stephen T. McCarthy
Hello, CATHY. It’s that ME again!
FYI, the Israel Kamakawiwo’ole video you embedded has already been deleted by YouTube. (Or at least that’s what it’s telling me.) But there are other videos there of this same recording of ‘Country Roads’ by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. So, you could edit your post and replace this vid with another one, if you’d like to.
(OK, this is weird… I see the video you used still seems to be at YT, even though when I clicked on it here, I got the message: “This video is unavailable.”)
Fun Fact: FAE, who started BOTB with me, used Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s ‘Under The Rainbow’ in one of her very earliest Battles. I can’t remember who he was up against and whether or not he won, but it’s still a Fun Fact. (Or maybe just a “Fun Fac”, since it’s not complete.)
So, you’re using a song about your own homestate, eh?
I always liked this song. Heck, in my “yout”, I even owned ‘John Denver’s Greatest Hits’ LP, which included this song, of course.
In this contest, I actually liked BOTH recordings, but I preferred the softer, more lilting version by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. He’s not easy to look at, but easy to listen to.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents ‘Battle Of The Bands’
Cathy Kennedy
Stephen,
Thanks for the heads up on Israel’s YT vid. It gave me the same message, so I tried something different and it seems to be ok. We’ll see. You’re right, the big guy but his voice is mewsic to my ears. Maybe, he should’ve been called the gentle giant. Hopefully, he was Christian and now lives in heaven because with the tenderness in his performances, he’d make a great addition to the angel choir. I’m delighted that he got your vote. I was beginning to wonder if Toots and the Maytals were going run away with a victory. They still might but there’s always hope for the gap to close up a bit more. At this point, I’m pulling for the underdog. Go, Israel! 🙂
Israel -2
Toots & the Maytals – 5
Comedy Plus
Toots and the Maytals hands down.
Have a fabulous day, Cathy. ♥
Cathy Kennedy
Sandee,
Thanks for stopping in by to vote.
Israel – 1
Toots & the Maytals – 5
15andmeowing
In all honesty, I don’t care for either, but Toots and Maytals is the better of the 2.
Cathy Kennedy
Ellen,
I found it takes a bit to get used these variations of “Country Roads” and while I certainly won’t rush out to buy either, I do like them. Thanks for playing along!
Israel – 1
Toots & the Maytals – 4
-Eugenia
While I like Israel’s version of “Over the Rainbow”, his version of “Country Roads” doesn’t cut it for me. My vote goes to Toots. Have a great day, Cathy.
Cathy Kennedy
Eugenia,
Thanks for joining in the fun. It looks like Toots and the Maytals are running the show this round.
Israel – 1
Toots & the Maytals – 3
Thomas Anderson
Hi, Cathy!
Happy BOTB day, dear friend! Reggae is not my favorite style. My ears tell me it is too singsongy. However, I was able to pick a winner in this battle between two reggae versions of “Country Roads.” The version that I believe I could listen to multiple times and continue to appreciate its nuances is the first one by Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, a recording found on his 1993 album Facing Future. In his rendition Israel substitutes West Mākaha, Hawaii for West Virginia. It works and I like it. I remember Israel appearing in other posts over the years and I have come to appreciate his work. It’s sad that his extreme obesity led to serious medical problems and an early death.
I vote for Israel.
Thank you very much for the entertainment, dear friend Cathy!
Cathy Kennedy
Tom,
Indeed it’s sad that Israel’s obesity caused major health problems and even death. It’s a scary thing. I don’t understand how someone can allow themselves to get that large without doing something. It’s totally preventable, unlike other diseases. Thanks for stopping by and for giving him the first vote.
Israel – 1
Toots & the Maytals – 2
Arlee Bird
Some years back when my wife and I were taking one of our cross country trips, I organized a CD playlist to match places we were. As we passed from Kentucky into WV I had Denver’s version of this song playing. My wife got a kick out of it.
I’ve grown weary of the Hawaiian guy’s version of “Rainbow” it gets played so often. His version of “Country Roads” sounds kind of karaoke to me. Nice, but no coconut.
Not overly excited about the reggae version, but I’ll take that one for my vote. It’s catchy and kind of grows on me as I listen more.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Cathy Kennedy
Lee,
Was that the first time your wife heard John Denver’s “Country Road” or did she think it was a lot of fun to hear the classic play while passing through the Bluegrass state and heavenly hills of WV? I had no clue Isarael covered Denver’s song before composing this post. Toots and Maytals reggae version is catchy. I have you down for them!
Israel – 0
Toots & the Maytals – 1
Mary B
Interesting battle, today, Cathy!
While I’m a fan of Israel’s ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’, his Country Roads just didn’t do anything for me. I tried hard to find something in it that I could get behind. On the other hand, the reggae version of Country Roads was much more appealing to me.
My vote today goes to Toots and the Maytals.
Hope to see you around. I’ve got Three Dog Night taking on Leo Sayer over at my place.
~Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Cathy Kennedy
Mary,
Throwing both artists with their twist to Denver’s song into this battle I was a bit reluctant because at first I couldn’t get behind either cover but then they grew on me. I think each are kinda neat and new discoveries for me. This is going to be interesting. I’ll be over soon to check out your battle!
Israel – 0
Toots & the Maytals – 2