Welcome Kittens & Dawgs! It looks Wednesdays this month is going to another dual blog post. That’s ok, it’s all about the love and fun we share for one another anyhow, right? ; Getting my beautiful Valentine’s Day rose provided a good photo-op using it as a prop in these shots. For a long time, I wanted to photograph a single red rose with my pearls DH got me for our 30th anniversary and finally I got it!
The following image, I shared the week before last in the CTST part of my post. I opened it in Pixelmator to give it a makeover adding an antique overlay to the background, then applying the Bouvardia Vignette effect.
Below, I added an icy heart overlay, a freebie resource I downloaded, here. I put our initials in the frosty heart giving my creation a special touch.
Here’s another image I shared on Friday in CTST but I reinvented that photo-art creation with new effects today. Which do you like the best this one or the one from Friday?
Okay, you not-so WW crowd, you’re here and there’s no need to rush off just yet. I invite you to stick around for the second half to help pick the next winner in March 1st Battle of the Bands.
All the love I feel thanks to DH gave me the purrfect song choice. I’m going with the King of Rock n’ Roll’s classic hit Love Me Tender, a re-work of Aura Lee first performed by Frances Farmer in 1936. Just for the fun, I thought I’d use two foreign mewsicians to perform Elvis’s song in An Italian VS a Frenchman in BoTB!
Representing Italy, Ricky Shayne.
France’s singer, Johnny Hallyday.
Ok, here’s the drill. Voting is open to everyone visiting. There is NO wrong vote, except if you DON’T vote. You can start by telling me in comments which artist you like best and why (optional).
Which artist gets your vote, Italy (Ricky Shayne) or France (Johnny Hallyday)?
The fun continues with more epic battles underway and I invite you to visit the official manager of BoTB, Stephen for the update list of players. Check back, next week same place and time to see if your pick gets named the winner! ?
I hope you’ll join me noon tomorrow for Thursday Movie Picks!
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I enjoyed Ricky Shayne’s version much more than Frenchy:) I am not a fan when they start talking in the middle of the song. I love the Romance languages you picked for this song…German just would not sound as romantic:) I love your picture of the rose and pearls and the first interpretation I. The old world romantic style is my fav.
Birgit, thanks for joining my March 1st BoTB! Also, am thrilled to hear you like my photo contributions. The pearls and rose shot is simple elegance which didn’t need an artsy flare but I had lots of fun with the others getting creative!
Shayne – 11
Hallyday – 3
Love this post, Cathy
Your rose and pearls photos (that DH sure is a keeper!) are exquisite, especially the first one. Absolutely striking! And then, it gets even better – a European BOTB. As you may remember, I was born there and am familiar with these two popular artists. Ricky Shane is actually French/Lebanese, but his first success was in Italy. He became renowned in France and Germany as well. Last I heard, he was living in Düsseldorf, which is very close to where I was born. Both versions of the song were good, but Ricky’s vocals beat Johnny’s, hands down. Ricky all the way! He even sounds Elvis-like. 
Debbie, Thanks for the factoids on both artists. I somehow missed Shane birth nationality and find it interesting that he achieved success in Italy instead of France. He’s really a multilingual kinda feller, huh? I’m amazed at anyone who can speak more than one language.
Shayne – 10
Hallyday – 3
Many unusual battles this time. You and Lee are both into foreign. Mike was instrumental. Dolorah was different songs. And I am only halfway through visiting.
I preferred Johnny Hallyday. Simply struck me as more romantic.
Robin, Yes, this round of BoTB is interesting and I’ve enjoyed them all. Thanks for joining me & voting!
Shayne – 9
Hallyday – 3
Ricky gets my vote
Thanks, Mike for voting! I wonder who’s going to win this? LOL
Shayne – 9
Hallyday – 1
I’ve always felt that “Love Me Tender” was too slow and almost painful to get through. Ricky Shayne continues that tradition; it almost sounds as though he’s trying to do an Elvis impression. He does a good one, admittedly; maybe he could try an Italian version of “Jailhouse Rock.” Johnny Hallyday put a nice beat to it; to borrow the line from “American Bandstand,” it has a nice beat and is easy to dance to. Not that I do a whole lot of dancing, mind you. Anyway, Johnny gets my vote, even though it seems he’s getting his backside kicked.
John,
Ricky could pass for Elvis with his cover. I actually like the slow tempo which makes the song tender. It’s nice to see Johnny getting another bite, though. Thanks for popping in to vote!
Shayne – 9
Hallyday – 2
Your DH is a romantic. How special. Beautiful pics.
Nobody does it better than Elvis
However, I have to join everyone else in voting for Ricky. Even if I did not know the words to this song so well, I could fall in love to anything that voice sings. I didn’t like Johnny’s version with the first strands of the music.
Have a good week Cathy.
Donna,
DH is truly a sweetheart and I couldn’t have hand-picked a better husband had I tried. He’s truly heaven sent!
Shayne – 8
Hallyday – 1
CATHY ~
Nice photos! Especially those first two. They could very easily be used as the front photos on Valentines or Birthday cards.
Like everyone else, I’m voting for Italian Ricky, rather than French Johnny.
I’m sorry, but I vote for the French ONLY when it comes to Grand Marnier, Kisses, and Fries.
~ D-FensDogG
Check out my new blog @
(Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews…
Stephen,
Thanks! I really enjoy creating photo-art. It’s inspiring when I have the right props such as this. I got your vote recorded and I like 2 of the 3 French votes you offered. Care to guess which ones I liked? I betcha can figure out. lol
Shayne – 7
Hallyday – 1
Love your rose photos! The musical selections reminded me of what a romantic song that is! I fell in love with Ricky Shayne as I listened to it, but then Johnny Hallyday’s spoken words were breathtaking!
Linda, I forget how romantic some of the classic oldies are until I revisit the song again and “Love Me Tender” is one of them. Thanks for visiting and for participating in the BoTB showdown, my friend!
Shayne – 6
Hallyday – 1
You are always doing super cool stuff with graphics. Very nice.
Patrick, I”m glad you enjoy my photo-art creations! I’m glad you stopped by for a peek.
I definitely prefer Ricky Shayne’s version, he sounded more romantic.
Ellen, Ricky has that romantic quality like Elvis. Thanks for popping in to vote!
Shayne – 6
Hallyday – 0
I absolutely adore these shots!! The softness in the tones. The romance of it all. Just simple gorgeous. They would be beautiful art prints.
Thank you, my lovely Les! You’re so sweet as always! ?
Roses and pearls are great pair, but I like picture with icy heart the most. Thank you for invitation to Curious As Cathy. Greetings from Poland.
You’re welcome Kiara! I’m glad you stopped by for a visit. Have a wonderful evening!
Hey Cat… do you do this every Wednesday… I kinda like this pictures & comparing of a song by different artists. Hmmmm Maybe I shall do that next Wednesday… Anyway I like the first song & the guy even sounded like Elvis… what was that German I think… and the rose with pearls… beautiful.. absolutely spelled L-O-V-E… oH AND if you like romantic movies especially if they’re cute come on over & enter my giveaway I put up last night. You’ll love it. The story is just too cute and the actress from Pitch Perfect (Anna Camp) is in the movie… GOOD LUCK if’n you do…. hugs
Marie,
The cover songs are for March 1st BoTB. I combine WW and BoTB when they fall on the same days and this month the 1st and the 15th are on Wednesdays. All month I’ll be doing a double feature. I appreciate you voting in this round. Thanks for the offer to participate in the movie giveaway promo. I’m doing it, too. I put mine up last week and joined your giveaway linky both times.
Have a good day, dearie!
Shayne – 4
Hallyday – 0
Beautiful pictures!
Gattina, thank you! It’s always nice to have your visit.
I agree they are quite romantic photos that Rose looks lovely
I think for me I vote for Ricky Shayne
Have a rosetastic WW Cathy and thanks for digging by
PS: I decided as I never stick to the themes on MM I will only post on a freebie week :-).
Steve,
I appreciate you stopping in to vote in this round of BoTB. Just so you’ll know there’s no problem with not sticking to the weekly theme. I normally do not, either. However, since I’m co-hosting again I’m trying to keep with the program. lol I can’t speak for everyone but if you want to dance with us then sharing any kind of mewsic is find by me.
Shayne – 5
Hallyday – 0
Hi, Cathy!
Happy March and BOTB day to you, dear friend! As I explained yesterday, I am in another city this week visiting family and therefore a little late getting to your new post.
I appreciate the magic you performed on those images, converting them into dreamy, romantic pieces of art, especially the last two which convey the impression that we are gazing at them through a veil, perhaps the veil of passing years. I liked what you did there!
Your band battle offered foreign language covers of Elvis Presley’s famous ballad “Love Me Tender.” As in a few other battles, I found myself drawn to the version that more closely imitates the original, in this case the one by Ricky Shayne. Ricky truly does sound like Elvis. He reminds me of the American singer Joe Dowell, who scored a hit in the summer of 1961 with a Presleyesque cover of “Wooden Heart (“Muss i denn”), a song originally recorded by Elvis for use in his 1960 film G.I. Blues but not released on a single until late 1964 when it showed up on the B side of the King’s holiday single “Blue Christmas.” Dowell sounded so much like Elvis that many record buyers were fooled and “Wooden Heart” shot to #1 on the chart.
Johnny Hallyday does an adequate job on his cover of “Love Me Tender” but I didn’t particularly care for the arrangement, That combined with the fact that Ricky’s vocals so closely match the bold, deep, masculine style that turned Elvis’s version into a monster hit, leads me to give my vote to Ricky Shayne.
Thank you very much, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
I appreciate you making it back to weigh in on my BoTB, my friend. Shayne does sound a lot like the late Elvis. He’s totally rocking this showdown, too. I was hard press to find two covers that I really liked. I have your vote recorded. This one might be a shut out if things keep progressing in Shayne’s favor. Thank you for the lovely comments on my photo-art. Have a good day and be safe in your travels!
Shayne – 3
Hallyday – 0
Such gorgeous romantic photos. Your rose and pearls are beautiful!
Amy,
Pearls and roses make a great romantic pair, don’t they?
You must have been in my head this week. I’ve got a FridayFive coming in a few weeks featuring the King. I had just finished writing the post before I came to your blog to see what you had to offer this battle.
Side note: a few years ago, I used to make an annual visit to Las Vegas. On one of those visits I went with a couple of girlfriends to the Elvis Museum and we took in a live matinee with an impersonator. We had front row seats. He caught me taking pictures during the show and called me out with “Hey, hey… my eyes are UP HERE!” We flirted throughout the show and toward the end he wrapped his scarf around my neck and pulled me on stage and planted a big wet one on my cheek. Now THAT was a fun memory of Vegas!
I tend to agree with Arlee on this one, I think the hands down winner for this battle is Ricky Shayne. He’s getting my vote.
Mary, First I read Lee’s comment telling me how close our battles are and now you said I’m in your head. Maybe, I’m psychic (note: not to be confused with psycho). Your pilgrimage to Vegas sounds like a lot of fun with your girlfriends. That Elvis impersonator sounded like a lot of fun, too. I know you had a blast and you took away some good memories. I’m coming over in a bit. See ya soon!
Shayne – 2
Hallyday – 0
Cathy, this is so weird and I think you’ll be amazed when you see my Battle. It is so similar to what you’ve matched here that it’s almost like we planned a theme together.
Great song with two very interesting contrasting versions.
For me though, the hands down winner of this pairing is Italy’s Ricky Shayne–so much more dreamy and romantic. The other guy is fine but my vote goes to Ricky.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Lee, You got me “Curious as a Cathy” to see what you have up.
Shayne – 1
Hallyday – 0
Que bonita foto de la rosa con las perlas. Un gran detalle para el día de San Valentin.
Besos
Translation: What a beautiful photo of the rose with the pearls. Great detail for Valentine’s Day. Kisses
Thank you Raquel! I’m glad you like the arrangement of my pearls and my Valentine’s Day rose.