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!