Hello, Kittens & Dawgs! Here we are in December once more. It seems like yesterday it was December but yesterday was the end of November. lol Yes, I’m being ridiculously silly. That’s nothing new. It’s the weekend which means you won’t find me in Blogosphere. Not to worry, I’ll see y’all early on Monday morning, though. I actually did this post back in July. What can I say, except I’m crazy like a fox cat. I need a better strategy for coming up with my battles but for now, I continue to go with the flow. I don’t mind telling you, I found it hard to stay clear of Christmas songs but I did. I went back to the mid-50s to find a rare song, definitely one I don’t remember sung by Julie London….ever. I’m sure some of you may know it. This song is from Julie’s 1956 Calendar Girl album.
You’re welcome to listen to the original for an introduction or to refresh your memory but refrain from voting on Julie’s recording.
My first candidate is new-to-me. Clare Teal is a British singer & broadcaster. Interesting combination, eh? She released ‘Warm December’ from her 2013 jazz album, Jing, Jing-a-ling.
Clare reminds me a lot of Julie London. I really enjoy her throwback style, don’t you? Next up is Seth MacFarlane. Why does his name sound familiar? Wikipedia reveals why I know the name, he’s the creator of The Family Guy TV show. While I know MacFarlane’s animation work in name only, I had no idea he was a singer until now. From his 2014 Holiday Swing album, Seth covered Julie’s song giving it that big band retro sound.
WOW, what a multi-talented fellow MacFarlane is and while I’m not a fan of his animated programs I really dig his vintage singing style in his Christmas album. Maybe, I’ll aks DH to buy it for me. 
So, what do you think, who gets your vote, Clare Teal or Seth MacFarlane?
How do I play BoTB? It’s really super simple!
- You VOTE. Leave your FAVORITE pick in comments. Everyone is welcome to vote. There is no wrong vote, except if you DON’T vote.
- Be interactive. Tell me why you like your favorite pick. (optional)
- Make me happy. Tell a friend, share the below tweet. (optional)
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, The Doglady’s Den (Debbie), Jingle Jangle Jungle (Mary), Mike’s Ramblings, STMcC Presents BoTB (Stephen, BoTB Manager), The Sound of One Hand Typing (John), & Tossing It Out (Lee).
DID YOU VOTE? No! Okay but if you leave WITHOUT voting, I won’t be held responsible for what happens to your computer. Just saying is all. 
Mark your calendar for December 10th to discover who gets my vote and to see if your favorite artist wins! If you like Christmas mewsic then you’re invited to hit the dance floor all month-long with Monday’s Mewsic Moves Me. X
X, Cathy
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Wow, this was an interesting one! I’m giving my vote to Seth McFarland. I was really surprised to see him on the list, though.
Happy holidays, Cathy!
Hugs,
Cherdo
Cherdo,
Seth is good but unfortunately, he’s falling short in this battle. Merry Christmas to you, my dear!
HiYa, CATHY. It’s that me, STMcC.
I just got back from vacation yesterday and am trying to play BOTB catch-up. I don’t think I’d ever heard it before, but I dig this song. Both versions were good. Ordinarily, I gravitate more toward male vocalists, but not this time. Although I did enjoy the second version, with its neo-Big Band approach (a la Michael Buble), something about CLARE TEAL’s version appealed to me even more so. I think it sounded more authentically old school.
Great Battle, Cathy! Good stuffs, m’friend.
~ D-FensDogG @ STMcC Presents ‘BATTLE OF THE BANDS’
Stephen,
I thought I responded to you but I didn’t. Many apologies to you, my friend. It’s just been a crazy couple of weeks. I appreciated you stopping by to vote for Clare. Have a blessed weekend!
I love them all, but I’m going with Claire Teal too. Seth and that big band sound is very nice. Okay, I love big band.
Have a fabulous day and week, Cathy. Love you. ♥
Sandee,
I’m glad you were able to swing by to vote in my first showdown for December. I have you down for Clare.
I love your music challenges. They are fun. Big hug. ♥
Clare Teal gets my vote
Mike,
Gotcha down for Clare, my friend!
This is a hard battle! I love BOTH but I love Seth’s version more! I just love his suave voice and his style of singing reminds me of Frank Sinatra.
I appreciate you stopping by to cast your vote in this difficult battle. I’m happy to see that Seth is getting another count. Although others mentioned that it was a hard pick, they wound up going with Clare. BTW, I wanted you to know that your Gravatar profile does not have your blog URL listed. You may wish to add it for others to find you more easily. I know I visited you recently but I’m not sure how to find my way back to you now.
Clare Teal inspires me to go cuddle someone even if it’s not December!
Mimi,
I’m so ready to go cuddle. It’s soooo cold here. Thanks for voting for Clare.
I love this Decembre climate
Kinga,
You must live in a more southern climate than I do because I’m really NOT enjoying the weather right now but I’m not one for extreme conditions. It’s just way too cold to suit this gal.
We like Clare too and we also like to be warm in December!
Brian,
So glad y’all liked Clare and yes, I’d like to be warm in December, too! It’s been soooo cold and windy here. The cold is one thing but the windy? That’s a double whammy of bad. I think I’m ready for spring. lol
They were both really good, but the backup singers really made Clare Teal’s version for me, so I’m going with her. Now I’m going back to listen to Julie London…
John,
I thought this battle might be a bit closer call but it looks like Clare is stealing this showdown!
Whoa, this is making me think too hard. I like both versions but Clare’s voice makes the song, IMO. My vote goes to Clare.
Eugenia,
Oopsy, didn’t mean to make you think hard! I hope I didn’t break your brain. That’s what happens to mine every time I push it. lol Thanks for voting for Clare!
Hi, Cathy!
This BOTB was a refreshing and very nostalgic treat, dear friend! I love the authentic sound of the big band swing era and both recordings in the contest delivered it. Year after year Seth’s Family Guy is the funniest show on television, highly recommended, and I knew he is also a singer. Seth’s take on “Warm in December” proves he’s for real. His vocal style and the arrangement used on the song remind me of Bobby Darin. It’s a great recording. However I like Clare Teal’s version even more. I think Clare’s vocal performance is better than Julie’s, and the male and female backing singers take me back to the Ray Conniff Singers, the Chordettes and the many anonymous session vocalists who lent their voices to recordings like this in the 40s, 50s and early 60s. I also love the jazz combo that plays on Clare’s version. Both artists achieved authentic retro style versions of “Warm in December,” but Clare has the edge because I favor female singers. Her vocal is buttery, ideal for the song, and overall her recording simply offers more to delight my ears. I give my vote to Clare Teal.
Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
I’m playing catch up in Blogosphere. It’s going to be slow but I’ll get around to everyone. Life threw us an unexpected curve ball last week with the death of our faithful 2003 Camry. We’re hoping it’s not permanent but we were forced to purchase a car regardless. God provided financing and just the right vehicle for us to claim as ours, the 2019 Avalon. What a nice car! Anyhow, I sure do appreciate you stopping in last Saturday to vote in this round giving Clare another vote. Have a good week, my friend!
Seth McFarlane is truly talented. But for some reason I seemed to enjoy Clare Teal’s version a little bit better. Fun battle.
Mary,
Both artists are pAwesome! You can’t go wrong with either. I have your voted for Clare!
Both versions are quite nice, but Seth gets my vote. I liked the big orchestral arrangement, that Rat Pack pizzazz, and the whole schmaltzy TV variety show production vibe. New song to me, but I liked it.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Lee,
You were the first to vote in this round of BoTB. I’m delighted you enjoyed Seth’s vocal style and arrangement. He certainly did pull out of the woodworks the ‘Rat Pack’ pizzazz with his cover. I sure do miss the old guys – Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, & Sammy Davis Jr.