Help! I need somebody. Help! Not just anybody! I need your help to decide the winner in my newest Battle of the Bands. The Beatles hit featured in this showdown is the Billboard 1965 number one ranking song, Help! (music vid reference only).  

According to a popular site source (secondhandsongs) Help! has been covered 325 artists.   With classics as this, it’s difficult for most singers to deviate from the original.  It doesn’t make their covers bad, it’s just when I’m looking for a “cover” I want it to stand a part from others. 

I  might be shooting myself in the foot with today’s battle.  I didn’t find two covers but six that I liked to put to the test. The thing is, do I dare put them all in one installment?  Alright, I’m gonna just do it.  Take your time, no rush here. I broke the contenders into sets the way my brain interrupted the artists pairing.  For anyone who’d rather not have to click the below videos, I created the Help! BOTB playlist with all six artists listed in order as they appear in this post and if that doesn’t matter, then continue as you were. 😉

The first set I have the late Tina Turner and teen pop idol (1967-1979) the British-born Australian singer, John Farnham. Both artists slowed the tempo down from the original which makes the words translate more a real plea for Help! Listen and then tell me which one you like the best!

 

 

 

In set 2, battling it out I have the English rock band Deep Purple the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock and Swiss metal band Krokus.  These bands you’d expect to have an edgier sound but surprisingly I really liked both.  The instrumental arrangement of the first might be my favorite.  Please listen to pick your favorite between the two groups!

 

 

 

 

In my final set, I’ve matched Amanda Castro Band the LA premiere jazz band whose entertainment speciality is in Gatsby, Old Hollywood, Swing and Vintage Jazz which is really cool against a 1970s Holland band (according to the YT descriptions) known as Honest Men. I found a band bearing the same name but they aren’t the same.  You’re welcome to add any info on this little known to me group. Please listen to name your pick!

 

 

Okay, there you have it in a nutshell (the size of my brain).  I hope you enjoyed covers. 🙂  

Now comes the fun part!  Who do you like best in set 1: Tina Turner or John Farnham? Which band did you prefer in set 2: Deep Purple or Krokus? Who’s your favorite in set 3: Amanda Castro Band or Honest Men? And, finally, do you feel like one of the six contenders trumped them all?

 

 

Polls close at noon (ET) on Aug. 7th!

You can follow the tally in this battle in comments.  I’ll report the progress throughout the voting period.  I suspect some are growing weary catching the outcome post.  That being said, I will try to include the results in my Mondays’ Music Moves Me on Sunday edition, Aug. 13th. 

There are more battles underway.  Check out my fellow BOTBers listed in my side menu, just below the banner.  😉

This is CAAC signing off, have a bandtastic day!

X💋X💋, Cathy