SPECIAL OCCASION!
Not only is it time for Battle of the Bands, it’s also day 1 of the April #AtoZChallenge Blogging extravaganza! This contest is directly related to my first entry: “A is for Airedale Terrier”. Read it HERE. Yup, it’s all about Airedales at The Den today; a two-post bonus!
BATTLE OF THE BANDS (BOTB), hosted by Far Away Series and StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands. is where you listen to different recordings of the same song and vote for the one you like best. Two “Battles” per month, on the 1st and 15th. Votes will be tallied and posted the following week. (See below for further details.)
How do you feel about some 60s funk and soul, originating in Italy?
Presenting:
WESS AND THE AIREDALES
HISTORY
The many incarnations of Wess & the Airedales started in 1961 in the US, when founder Doug Fowlkes fronted his Airedales band, recording a solitary 45 on the Viva label. More singles followed with singer Rocky Roberts at the helm, and things continued despite his relocation to Italy due to military service.
The band inevitably took on some Italian members, and in 1967 Italian vocalist and bassist Wess Johnson (originally from North Carolina) took over from Roberts. The American influence is obvious, as the band performed and released many more LPs, Eps and 45s of American-style Soul music – sung in English and Italian!
Today, instead of different versions of the same song,
I’m going with different songs by the same artist.
I’LL NEVER TURN MY BACK ON YOU
Written by Doug Fowlkes, Wess Johnson and Jesse King, this song was originally released in 1967, as the B side of single “I Miei Giorni Felici” (Chapel of Dreams). It was also included on the album “The Sound of Soul” that same year.
VS
CRAZY
This is another B side (paired with “Just Tell Me”), released in 1969. It was included in the comedy “Vedo Nudo” (I See Naked) and the album “A Warmer Shade of Wess”.
VOTE NOW!
Please state your preference in comments below and why you chose it.
Voting remains open until midnight ET, Apr. 6th
after which I will count the votes, add mine and publish the results.
These are the other BOTB regulars and semi-regulars.
Please cruise on by their sites and, if they have a post up, vote on their selections as well:
[Check back – there’s no set posting time]Angels Bark / Cherdo On The Flipside / Curious as a Cathy / DC Relief BOTB / eVil pOp TaRt / Far Away Series** / J.A. Scott / Janie Junebug Righting & Editing / Jingle Jangle Jungle / Mike’s Ramblings / Novel Brews / Quiet Laughter / ReInVintaged / Sound of One Hand Typing / StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands** / Tossing It Out / / Your Daily Dose
**HOSTS
As always, “Sharing is Caring”. Spread this musical joy all over your social networks.
Hashtag is #BOTB
Until next time.
ROCK ON!
♫♪♫♪♫ Rockchick Rapture!
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
40 thoughts on “WESS and the AIREDALES – BATTLE OF THE BANDS #BOTB”
I liked both of them. My vote goes for “I’ll Never Turn My Back on You”
Thanks for your vote. Song # 1 is doing well. 🙂
What a great idea for BOTB. I’m gonna go with ‘Crazy’,no particular reason, I just liked it better. Only disappointment about this post is no pictures of cute Airedale Terriers ;-0
Glad you liked it, FAE! 🙂 The Airedale photos are in the previous post.Your vote for “Crazy” is duly noted.
Funky old soul and Motown sounds, in general, are always enjoyable. 🙂 I remembered the Airedales band from my years living in Europe. They were hugely popular over there. Wess was definitely influenced by his American roots and liberally borrowed some riffs. I’m surprised there weren’t any lawsuits! Thanks for sharing your examples, Shady. Your vote for song # 1 is duly noted.
What a great way to sit back on a Saturday and listen to this. I have to go with the first one because I like the comical styling of it too. I love that you picked this band that seems to go with the doggie’s name
Song #1 is leading the pack. Thanks for your vote. Glad you enjoyed the Airedale theme here. I remembered this band from when I lived in Europe. They fit right in! 🙂
“I’ll Never Turn My Back On You” gets my nod. Just hanging around until it plays through… I played it twice.
Okay, all done… Have a wonderful weekend, Debbie.
Hi, Myke; I’m glad you liked the song. Looks like # 1 is pulling way ahead now. Thanks for your vote. 🙂
You mean I am leading?
Hey, a blind hog will find an acorn, from time to time… 🙂
Hahaha! So far, so good. 🙂
Wow, this was a really enjoyable battle! I have to go with what seems to be the majority and #1.
Thanks, Chris. 🙂 Song # 1 is pulling ahead. Glad you enjoyed the battle!
Looks like the URL you used for your comment was invalid. I fixed it for you. 🙂 It should be: http://humbleauthorbsp.blogspot.com/
Cool battle – can I get some Motown love! I’LL NEVER TURN MY BACK ON YOU, said it all for. I vote for THAT song!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the battle, Dixie. 🙂 Another vote for song # 1. Thanks!
I like the first version. I’ll Never Turn My Back on You.
Rocking and rolling for sure. Great sound. I could get into this band.
Thanks for sharing. See you around the rest of the month, I’m sure. LOL
I’m glad you enjoyed the battle, Jeffrey. 🙂 Yes, we’re sure to meet again, soon. Song # 1 gets another vote.
Ah, the sixties. What a decade that was for America! Both bands remind me of Motown Records (founded in 1960).
“Crazy” got my toes tapping 🙂 thanks for the happy feet!
Hi, Diedre; Wess was definitely influenced by the Motown sound. Lucky for him, this genre was also popular overseas. 🙂 “Crazy” gets another vote. Yay! This is turning into a much closer battle, now. Thanks!
DEBBIE ~
Never heard of this band before but I liked both of these recordings. It sounds like a cross between Wilson Pickett and James Brown. Wilson Brown?
Of the two though, I definitely liked ‘I’LL NEVER TURN MY BACK ON YOU’ best. Great, great horns on that!
~ D-FensDogG
‘Loyal American Underground’
Hi, Stephen; Yes, Wess was heavily influenced by Pickett (who was also hugely popular in Italy) and Brown. I’m glad you enjoyed the tunes. 🙂 Song # 1 gets another vote. Thanks!
Debbie, cool vibes with both numbers. I loved the intro on I’ll Never Turn My Back on You, but Crazy gets my vote! I just like everything about it, but mostly it makes me wanna dance the most. Good, fun battle! Now I’m off to read your A2Z post!
Curious as a Cathy
All Things Vintage: Artists #AprilA2Z #BoTB
I’m glad you’re enjoying the music, Cathy. 🙂 Thanks for your vote – another one for “Crazy”.
I’m crazy for “Crazy” and you can’t stop me, voices in my head, no matter what you say…oh, come on, that hurt my feelings…okay, I forgive you…
Great start!! Let’s do this in April!
Cherdo
Cherdo on the Flipside
“Favorite Characters, Favorite Lines” on the A-to-Z Challenge 2016
Hahaha! Thanks for the smile, Cherdo. We are “Crazy” here. 🙂
It looks like I’m going contrary to the others. Like the others, I’ve never heard this group before, but I’m going to have to choose “Crazy”. It just sounds more my style; ’60s music was good stuff, and these were both good, but “Crazy” just pulled at me a little more. And Michele was so right–they are both sooooo ’60s.
I’m surprised you aren’t familiar with Wess, Mary, having lived in Italy so long. On the other hand, his heydays were in the 60s and 70s, before you arrived. 🙂 Nice to finally see another vote for “Crazy”. Thanks for dropping in.
I’ve never heard these fellas before, but I liked them! Both songs were good. Hard to believe they were b-sides, no???
Anyway, I choose I’ll Never Turn My Back On You.
BUT, this wasn’t an easy one. It could’ve pretty easily gone the other way. Good battle!
I’m glad you liked the Airedales, Robin. 🙂 Got your vote for song # 1. Thanks!
I loved your vintage music that takes me back to the days of my childhood. Preferred the first one….don’t know why.
The days of my childhood as well. Nostalgia is a wonderful thing! 🙂 Thanks for visiting and casting your vote. Song #1 it is. Cheers!
The “Soul Finger” intro on the first song was interesting, but I preferred “Crazy” just a bit more. This was like a time machine back to the 60’s.
Arlee
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Yes, a trip back in time. 🙂 I thought that intro sounded familiar! Thanks for your vote; first one for “Crazy”.
Very interesting! I don’t know that I have ever heard of these guys before. Definitely a fun sound overall. Great tie-in with your AtoZ Challenge.
Both songs have a fun funky groove going on, but I think my favorite of the two is I’ll Never Turn My Back On You.
Mary
Twitter: @KnottyMarie
Literary Gold
Jingle Jangle Jungle
I’m glad you enjoyed the battle, Mary. I remembered Wess and the Airedales from my years living in Europe. They fit right in 🙂 That’s another vote for song #1. Thanks and have a great week!
This band is sooo 60s! I love it. My vote is going to I’ll Never Turn My Back on You. I liked Crazy just fine, especially the clapping beats, but I enjoyed I’ll Never Turn My Back on You better.
Thanks for the introduction to this band. They’re way groovy! 🙂
Michele at Angels Bark
Yes, so very 60s. 😀 I’m glad you enjoyed their sound. First vote goes to song # 1. Thanks!