Oude Maasweg (#BOTB)

Rear-view mirror showing cars parked behind the
vehicle containing the mirror
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

         Another Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is now in the rear view mirror as we head back into blogging normalcy--whatever that may be. There will still be one more thing regarding A to Z and that is the A to Z Reflections post coming up on Monday May 9th and running up until May 13th.  You're free to put up your Reflections Post anytime between now and then, but the Linky List won't open until May 9th at which time you can add your link that leads directly to your A to Z Reflections post.  For more information please watch the A to Z Challenge Blog.

       However, today is May 1st and that means it's time for another Battle of the Bands!!!!

Battle of the Bands

          Battle of the Bands is the blogging event hosted by Far Away Series and  StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens twice each month on the 1st and 15th.   The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.



The Amazing Stroopwafels  "Oude Maasweg" (1981)

       Popular in their homeland, Dutch band The Amazing Stroopwafels recorded "Oude Maasweg" almost as an afterthought when they needed to fill their second album with more time.  Since this song had been part of bandleader Wim Kerkhof's repertoire for many years, the band decided to include it on the album.  To the band's surprise the song was one of two on the album that got picked up as a single though only receiving minimal attention at the time.  Peaking at #50 for one week the song faded back into Dutch music history.

       However in 2008 the song reappeared on the Dutch Radio's Top 200 year end show and has retained a position on that prestigious list ever since.  Initially underrated, this song has become a classic of Dutch pop music.  You might even recognize it when you start listening to it.





Leon Russell  "Manhattan Island Serenade"  (1972)

        Many of you recognized "Oude Maasweg" as the Leon Russell song "Manhattan Island Serenade" from the 1972 album Carney.   Sorry, but I wanted to make one more stop with my April Manhattan theme.  This is such a great song that I had to squeeze it in before I left Manhattan.  This song is probably already a favorite of some of you.  If the song is new to you, please listen and enjoy...






Time to Vote!

        Choosing the winner of this sly Battle is in your hands.  Let us know what you think about these two versions. Is there one that you prefer over the other?   I already know my favorite, but what's your opinion?   If you're visiting a Battle of the Bands post for the first time then let me briefly explain.  Please give each song version a fair listen to decide which one you enjoy the most.  If you don't like either then at least tell us which recording was least innocuous to you. This comes down to your preference and it's as easy as that.

     Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours

Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ 

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

DC Relief Battle of the Bands

The Doglady's Den 

Angel's Bark  

Cherdo on the Flipside  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Janie Junebug Righting & Editing.
  
J. A. Scott  

Quiet Laughter

Holli's Hoots and Hollers

Be ReInVintaged



Results on Monday May 9th

     On Monday May 9th I'll have my A to Z Reflections post on this site, but I'll be keeping it short this year so as not to overwhelm readers.  In this same post I will be announcing the winners for this current Battle of the Bands match.  Be sure to be here for both!

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Question of the Month

       
The Question of the Month is hosted by Michael G D'Agostino from A Life Examined. The first Monday of each month I'll be answering a question posed by Michael prior to event day. Click on the link to his blog for more participants. 

This month’s question is:

“If a friend came to you looking for advice on starting a blog, what three pieces of advice would you give them?”

        I could elaborate greatly on this subject and indeed have in many past posts, but let me just give a simple answer this time:   Start a blog with a purpose in mind, but be prepared and flexible enough to change direction if what you are doing is not working or is boring you.  Focus on content that you find interesting, but that will be interesting to others as well.  And be intrepid in your blogging.  That's it for now.

        What is your advice to a person starting a blog?   Has your blog changed much since you first started it?    How do you handle a blogging slump or for that matter anything which loses its luster for you?