Monday, August 1, 2016

BATTLE OF THE BANDS: ROY ORBISON V. LINDA RONSTADT

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,


It's time for the August 1, 2016, Battle of the Bands.

Our host, Mr. Stephen T. McCarthy, provides us with this information about the bloghop:

The whole thing is really quite simple: You select two different versions of the same song (versions  you feel might give each other some competition in the voting) and you post them on the 1st and the 15th of each month. On the 7th and 21st of each month, you add your own personal vote to the mix, total up all the votes and announce the winner on your blog.

Beyond that, just try to have fun with it and let your readers/voters have fun with it.






All right! Let's have fun!



Today I present two legends singing a much-loved classic, Blue Bayou. This song makes me think of a languid summer day.

We'll begin with The Man Who Wrote the Song (with Joe Melson). It was an international hit for Roy Orbison in 1963.




I love Roy Orbison!

Later, Blue Bayou became Linda Ronstadt's signature song. She also had an international hit with the song in 1977.



I love Linda Ronstadt!

Now the question is, do you prefer Roy Orbison or Linda Ronstadt? Give me your vote in your comment, and I'll return on August 7 with the winner.

Please be patient with me. I'll visit the other battles as soon as I can. I'm editing something by our good friend Robyn Alana Engel, who blogs at Life By Chocolate. Her writing makes me guffaw so I told her she'll be able say that someone died laughing while reading her upcoming book, and that someone is moi!

Happy listening!


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

Please use this list to visit other battles, and don't forget to check out what our fearless leader, Stephen T. McCarthy, has to offer. You can also join in the fun. Sign up at Mr. McCarthy's blog.


@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JANIE JUNEBUG, RIGHTING & EDITINGby clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE
@ 'REINVINTAGED' by clicking HERE
@ 'EVIL POP TART' by clicking HERE.

61 comments:

  1. I also love both Linda Ronstadt and Roy Orbison, two of the greatest vocalists in rock.

    I'm going to vote for Linda Ronstadt here. Both of them were fantastic, but I didn't like the backup singers in Roy's version (the problem with those "all-star" bands is that no one knows how to be a backup musician), and I just love the pedal steel solo in Linda's as well as her hitting the high note at the end.

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    1. I love to sing that note with Linda. She kinda maybe sings it a bit better than I do.

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  2. My first thought before listening to both songs was: Roy Orbison. I just always loved his voice. After listening I'm actually going with Linda Ronstadt for this. I think her voice matches this song really well.

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    1. It's no wonder they both had big hits with this song.

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  3. I have always loved Roy Orbison's version. To me it is the best version. Please give my vote to Roy.

    Mary
    Jingle Jangle Jungle

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  4. WOW ! tough battle.
    Linda grew up in Tucson and sang around here for years but . . . even with all the bridges she burned here, I still enjoy her music. I just love Orbison's voice and phrasing better.
    Plus was the singer of my teen years. I just love his voice.
    Did I say I love him ?

    cheers, parsnip and thehamish

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    1. I wondered if this battle might turn into choosing the artist with which one grew up.

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  5. GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE! There's enough Linda for everyone and it's a good thing, 'cause she gets my vote. She OWNS this song, for sure.

    Not to say I don't LOVE LOVE LOVE Roy Orbision (R.I.P.), 'cause I do. But this is Blue Bayou...

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    1. I planned on using Blue Bayou at some point. When I saw your battle, I decided it was time for Linda to visit.

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  6. You're mean!:) this is almost like apples or oranges as both are so excellent. I love both of them too and have her album of Spanish songs for her father...it was one of my mom.s favourite music pieces. Anyhoo, I can't say ever no to Roy Orbison..his gift is only once in a millennium so he gets my vote.

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    1. The man had such a wide vocal range--three or four octaves.

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  7. Tough one, Janie! They're both great.....I'll have to give it to Linda. Her version evokes the most pleasant memories.

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  8. Hi Janie - strange but true ... I watched half of a Roy Orbison programme last night and Blue Bayou featured quite heavily ... apparently Orbison's version sold 1 million, while Rondstadt's version sold 4 million ... while the programme decided that Sinatra's version was the best ...

    Great song - but I love Orbison ... so he'll get my vote .. cheers Hilary

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  9. Roy Orbison was a tad before my time but his voice is so spot on that it is dang near perfect! Not that I don't love Linda Ronstadt also.

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    1. He was before my time, too, but then I heard Pretty Woman and wondered who that was. I loved it when he had renewed success and was one of the Traveling Wilburys.

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  10. This is a goodie. I like Roy Orbison, but only when I don't have to look at him. What's with those sunglasses all the time? Are they impeding his vision and that's why he has that haircut? Everyone has to make their vote based on a snap judgement. Mine just happens to be superficial. Linda Ronstadt has my vote. Orbison may have written it, but Ronstadt perfected it.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. According to Wikipedia, Orbison had very bad sight and had to wear thick glasses. He lost his glasses once before a concert and had to wear his sunglasses. They made him feel more secure about his appearance, so he continued wearing them.

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  11. I've never hear this song!! But I have to vote for Linda. I liked her version better.

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    1. I used to listen to a Linda Ronstadt tape in my car (before CDs existed). I loved every song on the tape, and it included Blue Bayou.

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  12. One of the truly great songs of pain and yearning. I first learned this song via Linda Ronstadt's version, so to me it is the definitive recording. I vote for Linda!

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  13. Holy cow, a heavyweight bout! I've gotta go with Roy, though. There's some special kind of magic when he goes up into his upper register.

    I saw Tom Waits and Elvis Costello sitting in with him in that clip. Were there others I should have recognized?

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    1. This clip is from a concert that aired on Cinemax in 1987 and was later released on video with the title Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night. Artists appearing with him were Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, Jennifer Warnes, James Burton, and k. d. lang.

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  14. This was really, really hard as I love both these talented people. But if we are going by these two particular renditions (and I have heard them both sing this sounding better) I will have to go with Linda for the musical arrangement and the wonderful high note ending. :) Have fun with your giggle-editing!

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    1. Oh, I laughed so hard. You'll hear about the book when it comes out.

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  15. Oh Janie, don't make me choose! I won't, I won't! I vote for both. I wish there was a version of Roy singing Linda's arrangement or of them doing a duet.

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    1. A duet between these two would have been great. Now neither one can sing. Roy passed away quite some time ago, and Linda has Parkinson's.

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  16. This is one of those rare decisions I refuse to make. I love both versions and have ever since I first heard them.

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  17. Janie love, great battle! Both artists are outstanding making this a difficult choice for me. I generally prefer male to female vocals, so I think I'm giving my vote to Roy Orbison. Nicely done!

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  18. I love Linda Ronstadt but I have to vote for the pure, clear voice of Roy Orbison.

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    1. Oh, that voice of his--it was almost too beautiful.

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  19. I'm voting for Linda. I almost feel asleep while listening to Roy's version. Maybe I just need a nap. haha

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  20. Both have wonderfully plaintive voices, but I have a weakness for Ray Orbison, who was a favorite of my late dad.

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    1. You miss your dad, don't you? I miss mine, too.

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  21. This is the second time today that I'm voting for Linda Ronstadt. She does such a great job with this song. Roy is great too, don't get me wrong, but I like Linda better.

    Glad you're having fun with your editing project. Work should always be fun!

    Michele at Angels Bark

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  22. I like Orbison a lot, but I guess I probably like Ronstadt equally. On this particular song my preference leans toward Linda Ronstadt.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  23. Love this song and both versions a good but I'm going to have to vote for Linda as this is the one I tend to sing along with the most - so soulful.

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    1. I like to sing along with Linda. That should have been the title of an album: Sing Along With Linda.

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  24. Cool battle, Janie! I'm going with Roy... Something about his version seems to give this song a uniqueness that I couldn't find in Linda's.
    Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

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    1. Roy had a special something that others couldn't capture.

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  25. You mentioned me, and death by laughter, and my writing - all in one. I loves ya. You know it. Thank you!!
    Linda Rondstadt gets my vote.

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    1. If Linda read my blog, she would thank you. I loves ya, too.

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  26. Hey Janie,

    Roy Orbison, it is.

    How good of you to edit stuff for the adorable Robyn. Make sure the words are spelt, spelled, in the correct English as in English, English.

    Hugs n'stuff,

    Gary

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    1. She's a favourite of mine, Gary. I'd love to have her for a neighbour.

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  27. LOVE JANIE ~
    I know this will be a sacrilegious statement for many, but I have never really cared for Roy Orbison. I've tried to like him -- I even owned a double album of his hits in my youth -- but I simply don't like that "operatic" style of crooning and that high pitch he always shifts into.

    Linda, however, was hot 'n' sexy. Oh, yeah, and she could sing, too. She could've sung me a soft ballad from her side of the bed while I smoked my cigarette.

    Are you clear on my vote here, Janie?

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. I know some other people who don't like Roy Orbison. It's not the end of the world. Linda was gorgeous. She should have dated you instead of the young incarnation of Governor Jerry Brown.

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  28. Tough call, but I'm voting for Roy Orbison.

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    1. I understand that it's a difficult choice, but I want the battle to be close.

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  29. Very unique pairing here. I could not help but notice, Roy Orbison had J.D. Souther, and Linda Ronstadt did not, for this tour.

    Tally me with the Linda crowd for this one. I am a fan. But, being from Memphis, I really liked Roy Orbison, a lot.

    I will probably be the only person you ever hear say this, but for me, the Black and White Concert was a train wreck. Too many people tugging on Roy's coat tails that evening. Seriously, with James Burton on stage, the other guitar players would have done well to take a front seat in the crowd. Best part for me, was getting to see Jennifer Warnes sing.

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    1. I had never heard of that concert until I found the video.

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  30. Roy gets my vote, tight battle pitting two great singers against each other

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