Welcome to another year of Battles of the Bands, where you get to listen to two musical performances and decide which one you like better!
Recently, I had a couple of Top Ten Tuesday surveys that had the song “The Big Hurt” by Miss Toni Fisher on them. As I was talking to everyone who commented, I realized that the song has been covered a few times, and decided it would make a great Battle of the Bands. So…
One cover, by Del Shannon, was released in 1966 and reached #94 on the Hot 100.
A second cover was done by Scott Walker, formerly of The Walker Brothers, on his 1967 debut solo album, Scott.
A third cover I found was by Bruce Blackman, former front man for the sunshine pop band Starbuck. This is from his first solo album, Moonlight Feels Right 2014.
So there are our contestants. Here are the instructions for those of you wishing to write (which I hope is everyone)…
- Listen to the three songs.
- Decide which song you like the best.
- Vote for your favorite by leaving me a comment with your choice. If you feel like telling us why, feel free.
- Then, visit the other participants and vote in their Battles:
- Stephen at STMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
- Arlee at Tossing It Out
- Mike at Mike’s Ramblings
- Cathy at Curious As A Cathy
- Mary B at Jingle Jangle Jungle
- Diedre at Streampebbles
- Debbie at The Doglady’s Den
Voting ends next Sunday, January 22 at noon Eastern time, after which I’ll tally the votes and announce the winner.
The lines are now open. Good luck to Del, Scott, and Bruce!
The Sound of One Hand Typing 
It’s hard to choose between Del Shannon and Bruce Blackman, but I’m going with Del Shannon.
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Wow! Somehow I blew by this and didn’t vote. It’s Bruce Blackman for me.
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I really liked the way Bruce sang this song. He seemed to make it grow in intensity and his voice is full so he gets my vote
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I thought sure I would pick Del but I have to go with Bruce Blackman
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Bruce Blackman for sure. Scott Walker’s vocals were weird, and Del Shannon sounded like he was underground in some tunnel. Ha.
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Del Shannon, for sure. Fun.
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BROTHER JOHN ~
I was thinking that you had actually used this song in a previous BOTB installment, but after a quick look-see, I didn’t come across an older version. Maybe I just dreamed it.
As much as I dig Bruce Blackman’s entire music career, my favorite version of ‘THE BIG HURT’ is the instrumental by Wes Montgomery. But if Wes isn’t an option, then Bruce is an excellent second cherce.
Please give my two cents to the former Starbuck leader and his famous white chapeau.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
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The real “jazz nazis” can’t stand the work that Wes did with Creed Taylor, the more pop-oriented stuff he did on Verve and A&M. I think it’s his best work in many respects. Plus, he was still working as a welder to feed his wife and seven kids. He needed the pop stuff to make money.
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Interesting Battle. I thought for sure I would be voting for Scott Walker, but that was before I heard Bruce Blackman. And now, I know I am voting for Bruce Blackman.
No battle for me this go around, but I will have a new installment in the Call Me! Battle on the 1st – I will also have my Monday Music Moves Me Posts in the meantime.
~Mary
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