Hello, kittens & dawgs! It’s mid-month which means it’s time for a new round of Battle of the Bands. I wanted to spotlight Breast Cancer Awareness by using a song title with “pink” in the title and I decided to go with a new-to-me tune, Pink Moon.
Listed on Rolling Stones Magazine 500 Definitive albums of all time you’ll find Pink Moon at 321. Nike Drake first released this song in 1972. I don’t recall this artist but learned this tidbit interesting about him from RSM….”Drake recorded his last album in a couple of nights, delivered the tapes to Island Records and checked himself into a psychiatric ward. If the music were as dark as the lyrics, it might be unlistenable. But Drake’s soothing vocals and unadorned acoustic picking make Moon unfold with supernatural tenderness.” I won’t be using the original in the showdown but here it is for your enjoyment and reference.
Contender #1 recorded Pink Moon in 2012 and I have not heard of this artist before now. I sought Wikipedia to know more about Meshell Ndegeocello. This is what I found out….“Born Michelle Lynn Johnson is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, bassist, and vocalist. Her music incorporates a wide variety of influences, including funk, soul, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, and rock. She has received significant critical acclaim throughout her career and has had ten career Grammy Award nominations. She has been credited for having “sparked the neo-soul movement.” If I read this beforehand then I’d be a little skeptical about listening to her cover. Please, listen to Meshell Ndegeocello (song begins at 0.35 seconds)!
Meshell did a nice job. I liked the slow tempo and her vocals surprised me. With this song, she sounded nothing like her talking voice. Meshell’s rendition is a bit boomy but there’s something almost enthralling about her cover.
The rival, another new-to-me, artist recorded their cover in 1992 and being curious naturally I turned to Wikipedia to learn… “Walt Mink was an American alternative rock power trio formed in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1989 by guitarist/singer/songwriter John Kimbrough, drummer Joey Waronker and bassist Candice Belanoff. The band released four studio albums over the course of their eight-year career.” Turn your attention now to… Walt Mink!
Walt Mink’s uptempo version compared with Meshell Ndegeocello kinda makes me think happy thoughts and gets me movin’ in my chair. I like their cover but I’m gonna let both versions churn awhile inside my head before I decide who gets my vote. Do you know who you like best?
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). Are ya going with Meshell or Walt Mink?
The fun continues with more epic battles underway below.
- Stephen @STMCC presents Battle of the Bands
- Lee @Tossing It Out
- Robin @Your Daily Dose
- Mike’s Ramblings
- John @ The Sound of One Hand Typing
- Dixie @DCRelief ‘Battle of the Bands’
- Debbie @The Doglady’s Den
- Cherdo on the Flipside
- Michele @Angels Bark
- Mary @Jingle Jangle Jungle
- Janie Junebug
- J.A. Scott
- Guilie @Quiet Laughter
- Kim @ReInVintaged
- Evil Pop Tart
- DiscConnected
I invite you to visit, Stephen (at the top of the list), if you’d like to know how this works and/or ask how to join all this madness fun.
Thanks for joining in on the fun. I’m still on blog hiatus and I’m thinking about extending it because I’m not able to simply have fun. I need to re-energize! I’ll do my best to make my rounds and if I decide to break just a little longer then I’ll post an announcement on the 18th. Meanwhile, this is Curious as a Cathy signing off with a live performance of Krystle Warren and Teddy Thompson singing Pink Moon and I am giving you the option to include it in today’s battle if you want. It’s up to you! 
Have a bandtastic day!
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Hey Cathy,
Never heard that song before.
Probably not going to spell her name right, but give my vote to Mishell.
Gotcha down for Meshall, Robin. Thanks for weighing in this round!
Meshell Ndegeocello gets my vote, she did more with less and it sounded it wonderful
Thanks for stopping in to vote. I have you recorded for Meshell!
Tough battle. Both artists have their merit. I think I slightly like Walt Mink version better.
That’s interesting Drake checked himself into a psychiatric ward after completing his recordings.
Jeffrey, I’m glad this battle is a tough one for ya.
The race is very close this time. I fear it could even end as a tie. Yep, Drake checking himself into a psych ward is a bit of interesting trivia. Too bad his story didn’t turn out better!
I’m mostly offline now but hope to catch up on my main blog in a week or so. I love this cooler season… it’s very energizing to me.
I hadn’t heard this song or of the artists… I think the third version suits me best. My vote goes to Krystle Warren and Teddy Thompson. Nice duet,
Enjoy your time away, Cathy.
Meshell gets my vote because I like her soft vocals which seems more in keeping with the slight melancholy of the song. I have never heard of the song writer or the song and now need to look him up. I hope he is still alive….
Hi Cathy, Although I like Meshell’s version a lot, I really liked Walt Mink’s. I like the faster tempo and it’s a song that I’d want to listen to again.
Thanks for the introduction to Nick Drake. Sounds like he had a tragic time.
Hope you get reenergized soon. If you do get a chance to make the rounds, please be sure to stop by my battle; it’s a really good one this time around, at least I think you’d like it…
talk soon,
Michele at Angels Bark
Michele, I’m glad I was able to introduce Nick Drake to you. I don’t remember him and yes his life was a sad one. It seems many artists have a dark side and it’s often seen in their work. I have you down for Walt Mink, my friend. I’ll hop over to see whatcha got going this round of BoTB!
Hi, Cathy! I’ve never heard of Nick Drake and Pink Moon. Thank you for the introduction. Meshell has a beautiful, mellow voice, but her version drags along. I vote for the more cheerful Walt Mink. I have no idea what most of the lyrics are even after listening to both versions. I hope a cheery version isn’t totally inappropriate. I also hope you’ll be able to relax soon.
Love,
Janie
Janie, There is no wrong way to vote. I’m glad to see Walt Mink pick up a few more votes. I actually like their cheery version, too. But, I haven’t settled on which one is actually getting my vote, though.
CATHY, I’ve heard of Nick Drake plenty of times but never heard any of his recordings before.
I much preferred the version by Meshell Ndegeocello, and for the same reasons Lee mentioned. The other cover was too chaotic for my tastes. I do like to rock out from time to time, but their sound was just too jarring this early in the sh-mornin’.
~ D-FensDogG
‘Loyal American Underground’
Howdy, neighbor! I haven’t seen Meshell Ndegeocello for a long time – let’s cast a vote her way. I’m in a mellow mood this weekend. Hope you’re having a great Fall, girl!
Cherdo, Thank you for voting for Meshell. She’s dominating the battle so far. I’m trying to enjoy the fall season, but haven’t had a chance to really get out to do just that. I hope to change that this coming week, though.
This is a new to me song, as well as artists that I had not heard of before. Given that you are honoring Breast Cancer Awareness this month, I feel that Meshell’s version best emulates that.
Please give my vote to Meshell.
~Mary
Mary, Thank you for voting for Meshall in today’s BoTB. I will hop over to see what you’ve got going this round next.
This is a song I’ve never heard before. Thanks for the introduction! Meshell’s version was a bit draggy for me and I really liked the rock vibe (surprise!
) from Walt MInk. Please give my vote to them. Enjoy your break. Rest, relax, rejuvenate. Cheers!
Debbie, I’m trying to enjoy my break but it’s just not happening like I wanted. I’m about 90% sure I’ll extend my hiatus. I really need to re-energize! You’re the first (and currently only one) to vote for Walt Mink. Next stop your place. See ya soon!
This is a new song to me though I am familiar with Nick Drake. I don’t know much about his music. I definitely do like this song.
I’ve got a CD by Meshell from back in the nineties. I haven’t listened to it in years although I have heard some of her music on alt radio station. I like all three versions, but I’m going to put my vote in for Meshell. I like the trance-like drive of the back-up band and the soothing vocals.
Nice set of songs.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Lee, I feel like I’m always at the back of the class when it comes music. Everyone else seems to know the artist that I’m now discovering. lol I have your vote recorded for Meshall. Thanks for popping in today. Now, I’m off to see you!