Hello Kittens & Dawgs! It’s the beginning of the second month of this new year. Today I’m playing along with other mewsic enthusiasts in the 2018 round three of Battle of the Bands. I’m featuring the song from the romantic movie Once soundtrack, Falling Slowly by by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Wiki says, the song charted at #16 in the Irish Singles Chart when The Frames (Hansard’s band) first released it. The Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová version charted at #28 in December 2007, before peaking at #2 in March 2008, following the song’s Oscar win. It sold 944,000 digital downloads in the United States.
Last season, in The Voice semi-finales Adam Levine performed this song with his protégé, Addison Agen. The thing is I really do not like this song when two people sing it. I’m not sure why, maybe it’s the wrong two people or the way the two artists’ voices don’t mesh with my ear right but whatever the reason I was hoping to find a cover that I liked better.
And…I was! In my quest I found two solo artists. First discovery, Josh Groban and then Toni Gonzaga covering Hansard and Irglova’s pop hit. That’s when I knew I had to bring these two together in a Battle of the Bands.
Being the old fashion gal that I am, let’s start with the lady first.
Toni Gonzaga is a Filipino singer, TV hostess, and actress who got her start at the age of 13 in a singing competition, Metropop Star Search (1997) which aired on GMA. She didn’t win and it was four years later before she got her big break. From her seventh album, My Love Story, (October 2015) Gonzaga covers “Falling Slowly”. Please listen now to the soft contemporary vocals of Toni Gonzaga.
The American singer/songer Josh Groban is world renowned and a multi-platium artists who coincidentally is an actress and record producer who really doesn’t need an introduction, right? I thought it interesting Groban recorded “Falling Slowly” for his sixth studio album, All That Echoes, earlier in the same year as Gonzaga. Now, kindly turn your ear to the easy listening rendition by Josh Groban.
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 earned your vote, Toni Gonzaga or Josh Groban?
[tweetthis]I just voted in the “Falling Slowly” #BoTB Showdown between #ToniGonzaga & #JoshGroban! #music [/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).
Next week in this time slot, I’ll announce the winner in this battle showdown along with who got my vote. Mark your calendar for my next BOTB showdown on the 15th but I hope you’ll return tomorrow for Friday Fun Stuff!
X💋X💋, Cathy
This is for your entertainment only and is not part of the BoTB. 😉