Can you believe August is half over already?!
Time for another edition of Battle of the Bands.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS (BOTB), hosted by 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.)
WHITE ROOM
HISTORY
[reference only – please do not vote on this one]Cream were a 1960s British rock trio consisting of bassist/singer Jack Bruce, drummer Ginger Baker, and guitarist/singer Eric Clapton. Their unique sound was characterised by a hybrid of blues rock, hard rock and psychedelic rock. The group’s third album, Wheels of Fire (1968), was the world’s first platinum double album. “White Room”, written by Jack Bruce and poet Pete Brown is the 1st track. It was released as a single in September of that year, attaining top 30 status in seven countries. The band is widely regarded as the world’s first successful supergroup, selling more than 15 million albums worldwide.
The foregoing serves as background information only.
Now, on to the actual contest……
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♫ An international showdown between blues rock artists ♫
SLOW FEET
[I’ve used this band once before. Click HERE to view.]
Slow Feet (a play on Eric Clapton’s nickname, “Slow Hand”.) is an Italian blues rock band founded in Milan, circa 2005. Their debut album, Elephant Memory was released in 2007. “White Room” is the 5th track.
Information on this band is skimpy, but there is a Facebook page.
VS
LAITH AL-SAADI
Laith Al-Saadi, a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan (we were just there – beautiful town!) began singing at age 4 and playing guitar at 13. At 15, he formed his first blues band, “Blue Vinyl”. By the time he was 18, they had opened for Blues greats like Buddy Guy, Luther Allison, Son Seals, and Taj Mahal and toured the Netherlands. In 2006, Al-Saadi was crowned “King of the Blues” for the Northern Region of the United States by Guitar Center. This makes him one of the top 4 Blues guitarists in the country.
Earlier this year, he finished 4th on the 10th season of The Voice.
“White Room” is the 10th track from his compilation album, released in May.[Click HERE for an alternate video, if you can’t view the first one. Thanks, Pat!]
VOTE NOW!
Please state your preference in comments below and why you chose it.
Voting remains open until 11:59 pm EDT Aug. 21st,
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 / DiscConnected / J.A. Scott / Janie Junebug Righting & Editing / Jingle Jangle Jungle / Mike’s Ramblings / Quiet Laughter / Sound of One Hand Typing / HOST: StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands / Tossing It Out / Your Daily Dose
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!
45 thoughts on “WHITE ROOM | BATTLE OF THE BANDS #BOTB”
Slow Feet gets my vote, I love the organ!
Thanks, Mike. Slow Feet, it is!
LAITH AL-SAAD gets my vote! Great rendition! But really, both versions were excellent! But Slow Hand was a bit too slow. 🙂
Love the places this music takes me! Thanks, Debbie, I needed that today. Time to turn on the stereo and disappear for awhile!
Music is the perfect escape! I’m glad this helps, Yolanda. 🙂 Laith is definitely the front-runner now. Thanks for voting and have a good weekend. I’ll leave you with a poem:
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.
I’ve read, that things inanimate have mov’d,
And, as with living Souls, have been inform’d,
By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.
What then am I? Am I more senseless grown
Than Trees, or Flint? O force of constant Woe!
‘Tis not in Harmony to calm my Griefs.
Anselmo sleeps, and is at Peace; last Night
The silent Tomb receiv’d the good Old King;
He and his Sorrows now are safely lodg’d
Within its cold, but hospitable Bosom.
Why am not I at Peace?
– William Congreve,
The Mourning Bride, 1697
Wow, this was tough. I love the guitar work on the Slow Feet version. I mean LOVE it.
And looking at the picture on the Laith thumbnail, I was not expecting much…but THIS GUY HAS SOME PIPES! There have only been two other voices that blew me away like that at first listen-Andrew Strong (The Committments) and Wensday (you probably never heard of her but check out http://www.wensdaymusic.com/video.htm if you’re curious).
But still, I gotta go with Slow Feet because I really like what they did with the arrangement-although I see Laith has a few records out and I’m gonna be looking for them.
Vote-Slow Feet
Larry
I’m glad you enjoyed the battle, Larry! Nice to see another vote for Slow Feet, as they’re falling behind. I followed your link to Wensday’s site and it’s my turn to say “Wow”! What a fabulous vocalist! I’ve never heard the term “Torch Rock” before. Thanks for turning me on to something new.
Howdy, DEBBIE ~
Good song, and both covers are excellent. Laith has powerful pipes and can definitely sling that axe, but that awesome version by SLOW FEET gets my vote.
Wow! I loved all those organ washes and all the mini-moods SLOW FEET achieved with the tonal shifts throughout the recording. And I found the lead singer’s voice very appealing, too. Overall, it has a very epic, anthem-like quality to it, and there wasn’t one single thing about it that I would want changed. Don’t hate me but… I even like it better than the Cream original.
Now I gotta go revisit the earlier Battle where you used SLOW FEET and see if I was impressed then too and voted for them in that contest as well.
~ D-FensDogG
‘Loyal American Underground’
Yay! I was worried that Slow Feet would be left behind. I’m so glad you enjoyed this battle, Stephen. You did, in fact, like this band the last time, but unfortunately, they lost. They’re behind here too, but your vote certainly helps. Thanks! 🙂
Ha! I remembered it wrong! Slow Feet would have WON their last battle had I not chosen The Hollywood Vampires to make it a tie. I wish Slow Feet had recorded more that just the one album. They are fabulous!
Hi, Debbie the Doglady! Thanks for “the nudge.” I didn’t realize how far behind I was on visiting BOTBs. I started and never finished, between the new roof and all the clean up and inspections, and now a migraine to top it all off. I don’t care for the slow pace of Slow Feet (the video on your post wouldn’t play so I looked it up on YouTube). Laith Al-Saadi is the man for me with this song. I loved his voice the instant I heard him–so raw and powerful. What a great battle, Debbie.
Love,
Janie
Sounds like you’ve been having a rough time, Janie. I hope your migraine goes away soon! I wonder why the video didn’t work? Seems fine at this end. It looks like Laith is pulling ahead on this one. Thanks for your vote and I’m glad you enjoyed the battle. P.S. Your link works perfectly today.
It’s going to be another close one, for sure, Shady! 🙂 I was a little concerned that some people might be put off by the pronunciation in Slow Feet’s version, but it’s not an issue, thank goodness. (My husband has an Italian accent, so I’m used to it.) This beats “girly-pop” any day, don’t you think? 😉 Your vote for Laith Al-Saadi is duly noted. Thank you!
Hahaha! Touché, friend Shady. 😀 That would make for an interesting contest.
Oh, decisions, decisions! When I heard the first one, I thought, I’m voting for this for sure! Then I heard the next and I was like, “Oh, no….”
Okay, I’m voting based on what I would usually prefer then. For this song, I guess, while I would’ve enjoyed Laith’s version at a live show, it’s not something I would keep listening to repeatedly at home. There was just the rock-shock factor that initially blows you away, then it would dissipate if you’re to listen to it again. My vote still goes out to SLOW FEET that I can play again and again and not immediately grow tired of it. And no offense to the original band, but I do like this version best.
I think this will be a tough battle, as both versions are so good. 🙂 Rock is definitely best live and I understand what you mean. That’s high praise for Slow Feet. Thanks for your vote.
This was a really great BOTBs. The Slowfeet version was indeed tasty, but I said to myself, “which one do I wanna hear at, say, a party?” Gimme Laith. Funny, once again Shady and I pretty much looked at the decision the same way…
I’m glad you enjoyed the battle, Chris. 🙂 Yes, you and Shady seem to be in sync. Laith gets another vote. Thanks for playing!
It’s funny that the one band is from Ann Arbor, Michigan and my blog post is all about Michigan. Is that fate? I think so because they won me over. I’m going with Laith. It was so upbeat. I love rock music like that. Woo!
That sure is a coincidence, Chrys. 🙂 Thanks for playing! Laith Al-Saadi gets another vote.
I really liked both of these, Debbie. Tough choice! I think I’ll go with Laith because I like the faster tempo. 🙂
Hi, Robin. 🙂 I think this will be another close battle. 🙂 Your vote for Laith Al-Saadi is duly noted. Thanks!
LAITH, LAITH, LAITH all the way! LOVE his voice and I am not being one bit biased as a native Michigander. 🙂
I had a hunch you would pick Laith. 😀 He does have some impressive pipes. Thanks for playing!
Wow both did a great job actually and Slow Feet put their own vibe on things but I must go with Laith Al-Saadi because of his killer strong voice and the guitar
Another vote for Laith and his killer voice. Thanks, Birgit! 🙂
Slowest is my choice. Smooth presentation.
Another vote for Slow Feet. Thanks, Myke! I think this will be a close battle, too. 🙂
Funny thing… Now you having me putting these challenges together in my head, at the most random moments. 🙂
WOW. WOW. WOW. Did I say wow or did I imagine it. WOW. Laith Al-Saddi, all the way! Not even close. Great battle, Debbie!
P.S. WOW.
Laith is wowing a few people! 😀 Another vote for Mr. Al-Saadi. Thanks, Cherdo. Glad you enjoyed it.
At first listen of Slow Feet, I was like ‘oh yeah.. I can get into this groove with them!’ But then…. I heard Laith Al-Saadi and was completely blown away. Hands down, I have to give my vote to him. Incredible voice. He owned this song! Great battle, Debbie!
Laith sure does have a thundering voice and his guitar prowess is pretty amazing as well. 🙂 Thanks for your vote. Laith Al-Saadi gets another one. I think this is going to be another close one!
Slow Feet was waaaaaaaaay too slow. Give Me Laith al-Saadi anytime.
Hi, John; Slow Feet changed the song from rock to blues and that can be off-putting. Laith Al-Saadi gets another vote. Thanks! 🙂
Whoa, that Slow Feet rendition blew me away! I loved everything about it – the vocal, the tempo, the mood. Best cover I’ve heard yet in BOTB. Who are these guys? Why aren’t they more famous?
I gave Laith a courtesy listen – and he’s got a very powerful voice! He’s sort of at a disadvantage in this battle, given the format and backing band were part of a talent competition, whereas Slow Feet got to do their own thing without restrictions. But for me this contest was over in one punch. Slow Feet all day!
I’m thrilled that you’re thrilled, Chris! 😀 Slow Feet consists of established Italian musicians who decided to get together to record an album of covers. Far as I know, that’s their only one and they’re not known outside Europe. Too bad! 🙁 Contestants on The Voice have the freedom to use their own arrangements and Laith played lead guitar as well, so it wasn’t too restricted. Thanks for playing. Your vote for Slow Feet is duly noted.
Debbie, WOW! You did a great job pitting two different styles of the White Room cover. I’m giving my vote to Slow Feet. I really liked how they took a down-tempo approach on this classic song. It really set them apart from their competitor. Good choice, my friend!
Thanks, Cathy! I’m glad you liked the battle. Slow Feet certainly gave the song a different twist. Your vote for them is duly noted.
Wow, great battle Debbie! This is a tough choice as I really like both. At first, the slow tempo of Slow Feet’s didn’t grab me but as I got into their version I really started to appreciate it. I like it.
But I must say that I like Laith Al-Saadi’s version best. I love this song and his version is closer to the original so my taste is pulling me that way. Please give my vote to Laith.
Excellent battle! I bet this one is going to be another close one…
Have a great Monday!
Michele at Angels Bark
I’m glad you like the battle, Michele. You’re probably right that it will be another close one. Both versions are so good! 🙂 That’s another vote for Laith Al-Saadi. Thanks!
Hi Debbie,
You made it exciting again. First, I listened to the original version. I remember not being to impressed with this song when it first came out, although friends were screaming great song. Second, I couldn’t open Laith’s version but did find a version on YouTube for those people who are living in Germany. The link is: .
Now for my vote. After listening to all three, I vote for SLOW FEET. They give me that smooth sound that I searched for when listening to the text of this song.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
Sorry, Pat. I keep forgetting to check the Youtube country restrictions! 🙁 The one you found is a live performance, but it’s similar enough. Thanks for that; I`ll add it to the post.
You’re the first person I’ve known who doesn’t like “White Room”. Has it grown on you, over time? The Slow Feet version is certainly different and I thank you for your vote. Slow Feet, it is! 🙂
The choice was settled once the vocal of the second choice started in–it was well done, but not my favorite sound.
I cast a solid vote for Slow Feet. I prefer that sound. Besides, my feet are kind of slow these days and this version just fit my demeanor better.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Slow Feet turned this from a rock song into a blues number. ? First vote goes to Slow Feet. Thanks, Lee. Hope your trip home went well.