Battle of the Bands

Walk On By #BoTB showdown

March 16, 2020 /

I found today’s battle song while researching another post. In 1964 Dionne Warwick recorded Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s song, Walk On By. The song was a hit peaking #6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts and topping the Cash Box Rhythm and Blues Chart June of that year. Songs as this are some of my favorite Warwick tunes.

My artist picks in this showdown don’t need any introduction. First up please listen to Cyndi Lauper!

 

Now allow me to borrow your ear for guest artist #2, Diana Krall!

Who gets your vote, Cyndi or Diana? There’s no wrong choice if you have an opinion then give it in comments.

You’ll find more awesome battles underway at some of these blog listed below and if you’d like to be included in the fun, then contact Stephen requesting to be added to the list.

🎸 participates only in the mid-month BoTB round on the 15th.

Polls close noon (EST) on 21st

Next week, same time slot I’ll be back to announce the winner in this round, so be sure to mark your calendar to see if your favorite artist wins in this showdown.

Later in the morning, please join me on the Monday’s Mewsic Moves Me dance floor in our St. Patrick’s Day theme party. X💋X💋, Cathy



28 Comments

  • Michael Todd

    March 17, 2020 at 8:36 pm

    Diana Krall gets my nod… After listening to these fine renditions, I went on to listen to several other recordings of this iconic tune. It really is timeless.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      March 18, 2020 at 6:15 am

      Michael,

      Gotcha down for for DIANA KRALL. You right, there are quite a number of excellent covers of this old song. I’m glad you found time to enjoy some of them.

  • Birgit

    March 17, 2020 at 2:48 pm

    I didn’t care much for Cyndi’s cover of this song but Diana make my skin Kwall:) I never understood how she got so famous and, even though I like the musicians behind her more than Cyndi’s version I just can’t stand her especially if I see her sing a song. her facial mannerisms make me want to bitch slap her. So a vote for Cyndi.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      March 17, 2020 at 8:19 pm

      Birgit,

      This battle is so unevenly matched and like I was telling Stephen one where both artists aren’t overly fond of by most. Thanks for playing along and giving your vote to CYNDI LAUPER in this BoTB showdown, my friend.

  • Stephen T. McCarthy

    March 17, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    HiYa, CAThy!

    I believe this is the first time in BOTB’s history that I am actually casting a vote for DIANA KRALL. I’ve never cared for her, and thus I’ve never understood her popularity. But she actually did a really nice version of this song. And since it was up against Cyndi Lauper, whose voice is close to nails-on-a-chalkboard to my ears, this was an easy BOTB bote for me to cast.

    Oh, and incidentally, you’ve got your little “guitar” icon next to my name wrong. It is in the 1st Of The Month Battles that I participate, not the mid-month Battles on the 15th.

    Question: Who is that 3-woman group of singers you have pictured in your BOTB header? I think I want to win that one in the middle. Is there a contest I can enter for that?

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

    • Cathy Kennedy

      March 17, 2020 at 8:18 pm

      Stephen,

      WOW, I’m telling you I did an awful job pairing these two artists in this battle! Either one or both singers aren’t favored much by most people. I’ll put you down for DIANA KRALL. Thanks for pointing out my mistake on which battle you’re doing. The picture I used to make my new BoTB button is The Three Belles, a UK Andrew Sister style group. It seems I sampled some of their mewsic but now I can’t recall what I thought of them. They are cute as buttons, though. 🙂 Unfortunately the girls are for give-away but I’m sure the sweetie in the middle would be flattered to know that you thought she was cutie. 🙂

  • Thomas Anderson

    March 17, 2020 at 8:39 am

    Hi, Cathy!

    It starts with a great song. “Walk On By” is a great song, and Dionne Warwick’s version is definitive. Cyndi Lauper pumps lots of emotion into her rendition, while Canadian jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall delivers a cooler, more composed interpretation. In these battles my vote is often decided by how well the vocal style and arrangement suit the song. Such is the case in this contest. Diana Krall sucks up her emotions instead of pouring them out and that, I believe, is the way to go with a song like “Walk On By.” In addition to the equanimity of Diana’s vocal performance, I also favor the arrangement on her recording with its glorious horns, reminding me of the original. Therefore I give my vote to Diana Krall!

    Have a great day, dear friend Cathy!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      March 17, 2020 at 6:43 pm

      Tom,

      You’re on the run away DIANA KRALL train in this showdown. Thanks for making time to cast your vote and I’m sorry for the trouble you’re having with my site lately. Perhaps, it’s an issue with my hosting service. I’ll check my setting in the morning, my friend!

  • Mary B

    March 16, 2020 at 4:31 pm

    Hi Cathy!

    I made it home, and up the stairs! Sure is good to be home.
    I always thought that Bacharach wrote his tunes with Karen Carpenter in mind. Both versions are quite interesting, but I think I’m going to vote for Cyndi Lauper simply because she put her unique spin on the tune.

  • John Holton

    March 16, 2020 at 1:52 pm

    Bacharach/David and Dionne Warwick went together like peanut butter and jelly. Cilla Black was another that could do Bacharach/David, but Dionne was the big one. I think I heard that Burt and Hal wrote their songs with Dionne in mind.

    None of which has anything to do with this battle, of course….

    Both women did an admirable job with this song. Cyndi has the bigger range, but Diane has a voice like Dusty Springfield, and the orchestration in her cover was superb. Give my vote to Diane.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      March 16, 2020 at 2:38 pm

      John,

      I always liked Dionne’s earlier years the best, especially those where she did a lot of Bacharach/David songs. They were a good team. Thanks for voting for DIANA KRALL.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      March 16, 2020 at 2:27 pm

      Janet,

      This is definitely Dionne’s song and it’s hard to identify it with any other artist but both contenders did it well. Another vote for DIANA KRALL. Thanks for stopping by!

  • Debbie D.

    March 16, 2020 at 9:43 am

    I know the song, but have never heard these covers before. Cyndi Lauper is a great talent, but for this battle, I must go with the sultry tones of Diana Krall. Her voice is so soothing! I hope you and your DH are doing well during these difficult times, Cathy. The only good thing about it is, we’re all in it together. Cheers!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      March 16, 2020 at 2:20 pm

      Debbie,

      I have you down for the lovely DIANA KRALL!

      DH & I are doing well. Unfortunately, we both have doctor appointments that’s not related to the virus which comes at a bad time but can’t be put off because of scheduling, especially that of my neurologist which took forever to get to begin with so I will do my best to stir clear of any suspicious looking or acting people. I know what I’ll do, I’ll cough wildly and maybe everyone will stay away from me. 😀

      Thanks for coming by today and remember, I want you to be extra careful out there, girlie! xx

  • Arlee Bird

    March 16, 2020 at 12:26 am

    I like them both. Technically Krall’s version is superior I think, but Lauper’s version has something more grabbing for me like maybe more feeling. I could imagine Krall’s version playing as movie credits are scrolling while I was thinking Lauper’s version would fit some heartfelt episode in the movie.

    I don’t know if that makes sense so I’ll just say I cast my vote for Cyndi Lauper.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    • Cathy Kennedy

      March 16, 2020 at 5:43 am

      Lee,

      Actually, I get what you mean about Cyndi’s version of ‘Walk On By’ and was surprised at how much I liked it. The way she covers the song is interesting and quite heart-felt. Thanks for dropping in to cast your ballot for CYNDI LAUPER in the wee hours this morning. I’m heading over to your place now. Have a good day, my friend!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      March 16, 2020 at 5:44 am

      Robin,

      It took me a few times listening to Cyndi’s cover before it really clicked with me. Perhaps on another day her version might appeal to you more but thanks for voting for DIANA KRALL! 😉

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