36 comments

  1. First, the battle – Washington and Carne by a nose…or a note – I think these were fairly even but I enjoyed the Carne vocals slightly more. As for Sting – Wow! Smooth type jazz isn’t my favorite style but I knew some of these songs from their rock world versions and I have even more respect for Sting now as a vocalist.

  3. I really loved both, but I think Washington/Carne edge out Botti & Kreviazuk just a bit for me! I was thinking I was going to see ABC’s “Look of Love”, which I have not heard in literally years, LOL! I’m late to the 4Ms party and skipping the Random Tuesday party this week (my brain’s just overloaded), but hope to have something up ON TIME for the Writer’s Workshop. And naturally, I’m just now finding out about the #RocktoberMusicFest, so maybe I can jump on board this weekend.

    1. Kim,

      I have your vote recorded for Washington/Carne. Thanks!

      ABC’s “Look of Love” crossed my ears in recent years but I remember thinking that doesn’t sound like Bacharach’s love song. lol I had to listen to it this morning just to refresh my memory. I don’t know why this band seems unfamiliar. This song hit the top of the US Dance Chart in 1982. That blows my mind away! That year in itself is quite memorable. Knoxville hosted the ’82 World’s Fair, as well as the Miss USA pageant. I think too much college studies burned my brain. lol

      You’re never late to a 4M party, my friend! Just show up with your tunes when you can. 🙂 I’m trying to get ahead on my posts and hopefully I pulled from the right range of prompts that Kat’s been using in her Writer’s Workshop weekly share. If you get a chance to boogie with Mary for Rocktober Mewsic Fest, then I know that will tickle her! She’s keeping it low-keyed and isn’t holding anyone to daily link ups but I’m going to try my best to do it. 🙂 Have a boogietastic day, my friend!

  4. Hey, girl, I’m battlin’ both days now! Add me to your list, if it is okay! By the way, I love the dog’s look of love most of all.

    Now, as for the Battle: once again, I went back and forth on this one. Heard the trumpet from Contender #1 and thought he nailed it. Game over. Heard the sax and thought “nope, that’s it…” Then I listened to the vocalists primarily. Gee, whiz, girl…you made this tough.

    In the end, I gotta give it to Chris Botti – love the horn; love the clear, crisp emotive voice of Chantal Kreviazuk. I’d never heard either version, though the original was a favorite of my Dad and Mom on “play the radio loud Sunday afternoon” events that occurred weekly throughout my childhood.

    Nice job!

    1. Cherdo,

      Thanks for reminding me to add you to the BoTB line up. I have several months scheduled, so hopefully I can remember to go back to fix those posts. I’m really slammed with trying to keep on top of everyone these days so if I miss doing it please just keep reminding me. 🙂

      I’m glad you enjoyed my battle and that it fosters good memories for you. I have you down for Chris Botti. Now, I’m heading your way!

  5. I have to give this to Chris Botti all the way and I love Chantel’s voice. Grover is great with his horn but i can’t stand the singer and was picturing all the ugly faces she must have been making to create the notes. I felt like that gal was trying too hard to be different with the vocals so Botti gets my vote

  6. Hey, I am back (again). I took another hiatus to try to get it together.
    Sounds like the 4M gals are having some issues. I got prayer going for you all.
    Come by when you can. Hugs!

    1. Michelle,

      It’s good seeing you here and yes, the gals have taken a hit. Thanks for the prayers. Everyone needs them just now but they’ll be back good as new before long. 🙂

  7. Also Susanna Hoffs’ version in Austin Powers – who is a if not the connoisseur of Burt Bacharach. He lives it.
    Chris Bott sounds a bit like Chuck Mangione (show off). .
    Grover Washington, Jr featuring Jean Carne get my vote because I like the music better, the song better, the voice better.

    1. G Dogg,

      I believe you’re a first time visitor but I thought your sign-in name sounded familiar and soon realized that you’re buddies with Stephen (BoTB list coordinator). Your comment starts with ‘Also’ which baffles me at this wee hour in the morning. I’m going to blame it on not having coffee yet. Surely, this will make sense later. No? Probably not, you’re right.

      I think we watched Austin Powers but I don’t remember a lot about the movie. I must not have been too impressed because we didn’t watch the sequels. I know what you’re thinking if you’re an Austin Powers fan, What planet did she fall off? I don’t I keep asking that question all the time. Anywho, I recognize the name Susanna Hoffs but didn’t know why. She’s the co-founder of all-girl band, The Bangles. I didn’t know that she married Jay Roach prior to his pre-Austin Powers and Meet the Parents directing days. Meet the Parents is a good movie. Where was going with this? Mez need coffee! Oh, I know I’m trying to make myself a bit educated on things I don’t know very well. I’m going to listen to Susanna Hoffs’ TLoL cover just for fun.

      Chuck Mangione doesn’t ring a bell with me. I must consult with my friend Google to see if I know good ole Chuck. BRB. I recognized Chuck’s old day photos and when I hit play on his big hit track, Feels So Good, the light went on in the attic! Now, I’m curious as to what he’s been up to all these years. Did he have any other songs worthy to buy? Well, I don’t know the answer yet but I am putting Chuck on my mewsic research list.

      I’m finally sipping on my first cup of coffee now that DH is out the door. Yeah, I wait until he leaves for work because he doesn’t drink it during the week. Thanks for popping in and casting a vote for Grover and Jean. Have a pAwesome day, my new friend!

      1. Well… Austin Powers is the greatest movie of all time. People may say, “That’s your opinion.” Right, I said it. Austin Powers II is just as good but I have respect for the classics so gotta give it up to Austin Powers I. Chuck Mangione, I had the album and Feels So Good is the only good song. I didn’t buy any of his albums after that. Jazz isn’t know for “1 hit wonders” he hit once which is good. Kind of like George Benson’s “On Broadway”… I got other albums by him… yet nothing shone brighter.

        1. G Dogg,

          The beautiful thing about people is that we’re all different. We all can’t like the same things that’s why we have so much variety in life. Austin Powers is the kind the movies you have to be in the mood for sorta like The Pink Panther films with Peter Sellers which I love but my mind has to be in a silly funk to enjoy them. 🙂 Thanks for visiting. I’ll share the results on Monday and you’re invited to hit the dance floor with the 4M gang!

  8. The Washington/Carne cover rang truest to the original to me, although both were well done.

    Jazz makes me sleepy, i enjoy it on a nice, rainy afternoon like this one. It was a nice coincidence.

    Thanks for the Spark!

    1. Mimi,

      Jazz mewsic is relaxing and it is perfect for dreary weather. I can enjoy it just about anytime, though. Thanks for visiting and voting!

    1. Ramona,

      I’m doing quite well these days other than my pitiful hearing. Marie, Stacy, and Colette have a bit of recovery still. These things just happen and I know they are ready to get back on the dance floor just as soon as they can. Thanks for stopping by! 😉

  10. “The Look Of Love” — great song. My favorite cover is by Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66, but it’s been covered a lot. I also liked Dusty Springfield’s, which she did for the “Casino Royale” soundtrack. (I thought she did it for “The Thomas Crown Affair” soundtrack (for the original movie with Faye Dunaway and Steve McQueen) but evidently not). Peter White’s version is excellent, and if you had included him in the battle he probably would have won.

    Of the two covers here, I like Chris Botti’s tempo a lot better than Grover Washington’s, so he gets my vote this time.

    I’ve heard a couple of the Sting songs before, though I’m with you, I don’t think of him as a jazz singer. Still, clever idea for MMMM.

  11. That pup does have the look of love. Awww.

    My vote is for Grover Washington, Jr and Jean Carne. The first one was good too, but that sax did the trick.

    Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week, my friend. Big hugs. ♥

  12. It’s that me:
    Stephen T.

    (Good morning to ya, CATHY!)

    First, I loved the picture of the dog
    up at the top of your blog.

    (Don’t worry – I’m done rhyming.)

    I also love this song – THE LOOK OF LOVE.
    I’ve never heard a version of it that I disliked. Both recordings are great – you can never really go wrong with Groovin’ Grover. Nevertheless, my vote is for CHRIS BOTTI. His recording comes from the album ‘A Thousand Kisses Deep’, which I once succinctly described as:

    “Forty-five minutes and forty-five seconds of some of the most sensual, romantic “make out” music ever digitally encoded onto a silver-colored disc…”

    That line comes from my review of the album which, if you’re interested, you can find here:

    ROMANCE MADE EASY (Too Easy?)
    https://tinyurl.com/y862b3pk

    If I were a marriage counselor, my sessions would be short. I’d prescribe ‘A Thousand Kisses Deep’ for my patients and then send them home with a hefty bill. (I think fixing a marriage in 45 minutes ought to be worth a pretty penny!)

    Have you a wonderful week, Cathy!

    ~ Stephen T.

  13. My favorite version of this song is done by Sergio Mendes and his group. Grover’s version is closer to that one and though Botti is excellent, my vote goes to Washington and Carne.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

  14. Great Spark. I like the Grover Washington best Sting chose a lot of Sinatra-good choices 🙂 Thanks for hosting. I hope you have a great week!

  15. Wow, you packed a lot of fun into a Monday and beginning of October post. You rock, Cathy. Well, you can’t beat the look of love from a lovable and loyal 4-legged friend! I’m going with Grover because I like his style. Happy week ahead!

  17. Good morning Cathy! Wow, you are jammed packed and serving up some delicious jazzy treats this morning! Sting is so versatile. I’ve always been a fan but didn’t know anything about his jazz works. It’s an interesting day here: a little dark with no sun, a little moody, so your Sting playlist is going to be perfect for the mood of the day.
    As for your battle, I’ve always liked Grover Washington Jr. I’m not much of a jazz officionado, that’s for sure, but I’ve always liked Grover since I was introduced to him in the 80s. I’ve only recently been introduced to the music of Chris Botti and I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I’ve heard by him. In today’s battle, my vote is going to Chris Botti and Chantal Kreviazuk. Although I liked Grover and his vocal companion, Chris & Chantal together are more to my taste and fit with this moody day.

    I also really liked the bonus track! That artist is totally new-to-me.
    And i LOVED the photo you featured at the top with the dog displaying the look of love… the love of a dog is always so pure and unconditional. That photo made me smile…

    Have a great week. Thanks again for the warm welcome to the 4M co-hosts gang.
    btw, I don’t have a battle today. I’m back to my battles being on the 15th of the months.

    Michele at Angels Bark

    1. Michele,

      My day was just the opposite very sunny and blue skies. I’m very happy to see the pretty weather after the past several days of clouds and rain. I messed up this linky and everyone is coming in at the beginning. When I entered our web addresses I got them out of sequence and I was trying to figure out away to do it without having delete and re-enter. Maybe I should’ve done that because now it’s all screwy! lol I’m sorry you’re no longer at the top. Next week, I’ll make sure to not do such a horrible job of things. lol Thanks for informing me that you don’t have a battle this time. 🙂

  19. Hi, Cathy!

    Happy October and happy 4M + BOTB day, dear friend! I poured an extra large cup of coffee and I’m ready to roll.

    Sting is an artist I loved when he recorded his early hits with the new wave band The Police in the late 70s through early 80s. I didn’t follow his solo career, but I admit that I enjoyed his styling on these jazz standards. Most or all of these are from Broadway musicals or motion picture soundtracks. My favorites in this Sting set are “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?” from the 1969 John Forsythe – Shirley Jones film The Happy Ending, “Moonlight,” an original song used in the 1995 remake of Sabrina starring Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond and Greg Kinnear, “Shape Of My Heart” from the 1993 movie Léon (Natalie Portman’s film debut), “Someone to Watch Over Me” from the 1926 musical Oh, Kay!, “My Funny Valentine” from the 1937 musical Babes in Arms and Sting’s jazz interpretation of Bill Withers’ 1971 hit “Ain’t No Sunshine.” (Prayers go out to the ailing 4Mers as they continue on the road to recovery.)

    Turning to your October 1 band battle, I always say that it starts with a great song, and “The Look Of Love” is a great song, one of my favorites. Act number one, Chris Botti featuring the vocals of Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk is AOK. I might have voted for it in another contest, but I much prefer act number two, Grover Washington, Jr featuring the voice of Georgia jazz singer Jean Carn. Jean’s vocal treatment has more soul, more life than Chantal’s. Jean’s voice dances and plays with the lyrics in a delightful manner. It’s a thrill to listen to the piece. I vote for #2 Grover & Jean!

    I also enjoyed the bonus instrumental recording of “The Look Of Love” by Peter White. One of my favorite covers of the song was done by Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions:

    Thank you for bunches of great mewsic this morning, dear friend Cathy. Have a tunetastic week!

    1. Tom

      I’m delighted you joined me for a cup of coffee over the jazzy mewsic playing in the background as bloggers step onto the dance floor this Monday. I thank you for taking time to listen to the two cover artists in “The Look of Love” BoTB showdown. I think the cover that gets picked might be determined by one’s mood than anything this round. These artists are excellent in their own right, style. I can see going either way but I won’t think about that now. I appreciated you sharing one fo your favorite covers. I thought they were nice but not nearly as bluesy and smooth as your pick (Grover & Jean) in this contest. Are you joining Mary in her Roctober Music Fest? Have a furtastic week, my friend. I’m heading your way next!

    1. Mike,
      Whew, you’re visited awfully early this morning. Thanks for stopping by to cast another vote for Chris & Chantal in this round of BoTB. Have a pAwesome week and please check back next week to see how this showdown pans out!

  21. Hey there Ms Cathy!

    You are certainly forgiven for using this post in the RocktoberMusicFest 🙂 Some days we just have to roll a whole bunch of stuff into one big ball, don’t we? I’ve gone ahead and added your link to the linky.

    I love that you featured Sting and jazz today. It’s such a soothing sound. Makes me rather glad that I’m listening before heading to bed. Perhaps I’ll even sleep tonite 🙂

    Am really diggin’ and groovin’ on your battle as well. I’ve listened to the contenders a handful of times to be sure I’m casting my vote in the right direction. I do believe after careful consideration, I will cast my vote for Chris Botti featuring Chantal Kreviazuk

    Have a lovely week, and I hope to see you around the playground even more this week!

    ~Mary
    Jingle Jangle Jungle

    1. Mary,

      A appreciate your forgiveness for rolling RMF in with everything else but like you said it we have to do this somedays. In my case most days. 🙂 That’s really not a bad thing, though. The way I look at it, RMF is going to get some extra exposure when I do my gazillion play-alongs each day. Whew, you did stop by early this morning. I hope my smooth jazz selections helped you to fall into a deep, deep slumber. You’re the first to kick off my BoTB and I have your choice duly recorded. Have a rocktastic week!

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