Votes due by Thursday, June 30th at 8 pm EST:
Hey! Just trying to figure out how to post here so instead of doing a long list, I’ll just be quick and let people make their calls. (plus I’m feeling a bit lazy…) But looks like we’re in for an interesting set of match ups. We’ve got Alice Cooper going up against Shannon Hoon. There’s some interesting history here. A big Alice Cooper backer was Groucho Marx (pictured right)
who understood that the entire facepaint thing was really just an extreme version of vaudville.
We’ve also got Axl Rose who backed Shannon Hoon (left) and the boys because they both came from the same city of Lafyette, Indiana. If Shannon hadn’t OD’d, who know how big Blind Melon could of gotten. Just goes to show that it’s more than just bee girls who leave a sting. Ok, bad try at a pun, but that’s where I’m at right now, so we’ll run with it. Now- Onward toward the music!
Update from G-mo: Playlist fixed except for Mavis Staples (6/29, 11:50 AM) Listen Here! (on grooveshark) except for Mavis you’ll have to follow the YouTube link.
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan
Mavis, the goddess who already has another song in, covers Dusty while Montell delves into the eternal question if this is how we really do it?
#7 Alice, Tom Waits
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve
The gravel-throated troubadour goes up against a song the Rolling Stones sued for sampling a large part of an unreleased concert.
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper
#13 Change, Blind Melon
Groucho Marx was a huge Alice Cooper fan. Axl Rose was buddy-buddy with Shannon Hoon because they both hailed from the same town: Lafayette, Indiana.
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods
Led Zeppelin was Led Zeppelin. Hilltop Hoods–I have no idea. Let’s listen and find out!
——
Use this list below for quick pasting:
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples:
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan:
#7 Alice, Tom Waits:
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve:
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper:
#13 Change, Blind Melon:
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin:
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods:
Living the Dream 
Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples = 8.5
vs.This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan =7
Alice, Tom Waits = 3.5
vs. Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve = 7.5
Poison, Alice Cooper = 5.5
vs. Change, Blind Melon = 7
What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin = 6.5
vs. The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods = 5
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 4.0 [slow it down Mavis! give it some heart- we know you’ve got it!]
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 5.0 [a longtime dislike for me, but reminds me of the mid 90s, so gets an extra .5 bump]
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: 6.5 [not my nom, but I think I’m nominating Martha next time.]
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 7 [I think my score for this will drop precipitously, but it’s a 7.0 tonight.]
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: 5.0
#13 Change, Blind Melon: 9.0 [wow. I was losing my faith in this round, then this came on. Haven’t heard this record in maybe 15 years and completely forgot this song.]
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 6.0 [kept going and losing points]
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 6.7
Maybe it’s the British thing, but that Hilltop Song kept reminding me of this:
incidentally, this genre of rap is called “chap hop”. (and since it’s English, punctuation goes outside the quotes, nerds.)
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 8 A little rushed compared to the Dusty Springfield version, but Mavis’s grinding, gravely voice more than makes up for it.
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 5 I love early 1990s r&b, but this song never became a favorite. Give me BBD or ABC.
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: 7 Tom Waits could read the phone book and I’d eat it up.
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 7 very catchy, no doubt. But I’ve heard this song a thousand times and as much as I want to believe it can inspire me to change, I know that it will never happen.
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: 9 Someone once told me that this song topped this list of songs strippers said they like to dance to. Even if the thought of a buxom woman in black leather undergarments curling herself around a pole to this tune isn’t enough reason to get on board, consider the sweet chorus and its interesting chord progression. Pretty musically interesting for a stripper anthem.
#13 Change, Blind Melon: 6 Did Chris Robinson of the Black Crows inhale some helium and start a band called Blind Melon? It’s good, but it also sounds exactly like four or five songs I can think off the top of my head (Traffic’s Dear Mr Fantasy comes to mind for some reason).
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 9 Love the languid bass line through this song.
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 4 blimey
Can I give Bone Machine an 8? Great tune, even if it was put in Grooveshark mistakenly.
Maybe Poison is the best song strippers like to dance to. But this is the best music video featuring strippers as the principal plot device.
Oh this was just an awesome video. Might have to fight with Pour Some Sugar on Me for best stripper dancing song… especially when they dance in tandem…
thanks for the quick pasting text!
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 5.5. Terrible version. Awful pace, worse vocals.
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 7. Bonus points if you remember the scene in Multiplicity that went with this song.
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: 6. A bit slow for my taste. Maybe I wasn’t in the mood, but a very good song.
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 9.5. I fucking LOVE this song, but something kept me from giving it a 10. I don’t think it has the chops to join other songs I would consider PERFECT. ‘Break the Night with Colour’ is def a song for fans of Rich’s vocals.
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: 6
#13 Change, Blind Melon: 5
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 6.5
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 7
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples/#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 8/5
Both songs brought me back to ’95…one reminded me of my first beer, visiting my brother at college, and what-not. The other reminded me of my friend who has a racial identity crisis. Son of a Preacherman was much more up-tempo than the Dusty Springfield version, and I liked Mavis’ voice a lot, but the arrangement wasn’t knocking my socks off. Montell, my you’ve aged badly.
#7 Alice, Tom Waits/#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 3/6
I wish I could forget Alice. Whatever happened to the Verve? They seemed like they’d be bigger than they were. Also, another trip to the 90s, with Annette (Reese) driving Sebastian’s Jag off into the sunset…probably the only part of that movie I liked.
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper/#13 Change, Blind Melon: 5/7
I didn’t realize Blind Melon made more than one song. Glad I found out 🙂
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin/#12 Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 8/6
When John Bonham starts riffing, the key and tempo change, and chorus come in, that’s good stuff. Now, I’m not so sure about rapping w/ a piccolo, but…I think I liked the Hilltop Hoods. Incidentally, I liked the Pixies song, too.
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 4
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan:5
Wow, not my favorite version of “Son Of A Preacherman” at all.
“This is How We Do It” = meh
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: 7
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve:6
Thanks for the introduction to a Tom Waits song that I enjoyed. Ah, the Verve. Reminds me–in the best way possible–of when I used to listen to commercial radio. Not enough to trump the enjoyment of an older artist for the first time.
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: 4
#13 Change, Blind Melon: 9
Flannel shirts, cape-like jackets, disaffected youth… oh, Blind Melon, you remind me of so much.
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin:5
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 5.5
Zeppelin should have done a little bit more editing. Score decreased as time wore on. Slight edge to Nosebleed Section, although I don’t especially like their song.
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: [3.5]
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: [5.75]
Sorry Mavis, this is how we do it:
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: [5]
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: [8.5]
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: [4]
#13 Change, Blind Melon: [6]
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: [6.5]
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: [4]
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples 2
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan 5
#7 Alice, Tom Waits 6
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve 7
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper 5.5
#13 Change, Blind Melon 7
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin 5
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods 6
Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 5
This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 6.5
Alice, Tom Waits: 5
Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve:7
Poison, Alice Cooper: 7
Change, Blind Melon: 4
What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 5.5
The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 6
Son of a Preacherman – 5.5 vs This is How We Do It – 5.5 I’ll stick with Dusty on Preacherman; great song but only a mediocre cover. How We Do It – Lackluster!
Alice – 6.5 vs Bittersweet Melody – 3.5 Alice was just a little too bluesy for me tonight. Another night, another score. Bittersweet like a number of tracks I have heard to date – strong opening and then the vocalist opens his/her mouth.
Poison – 7.0 vs Change – 6.0 Poison was a little dark but fitting with the mood. Alice could have received an extra 0.5 for wearing plus 4’s on the golf course. Not much more than OK on Change. Did not impress.
What Is – 5.0 vs Nosebleed Section – 3.5 Zeppelin didn’t seem to know what the song was supposed to be and I certainly didn’t so I stuck it in the middle. Nosebleed was nothing I wanted to listen to but it was better than the Pixies song it replaced.
On second listen move Nosebleed up to a 5.0
There’s gotta be a joke in there somewhere… but i can’t get it right
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 4.5 – I’m sorry, but I spent the entire song thinking “Dusty Springfield is better”. Totally killed the mood.
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 7.3 Dunno why, but I was really into this one.
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: 4 – Voice just wasn’t working for me today.
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 8.5
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: 10 I didn’t have the guts to nominate Poison, as I thought it would get crushed. Kudos to whoever dropped Alice dear and all the things that got him here into our midst.
#13 Change, Blind Melon: 5
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 7 Not usually my favorite song by LZ, but as a colleague said walking by my office – “I heard two notes… and now I want to hear the whole thing right now” – Can’t be a mediocre score for that, can it?
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 8 Well i’ll be damned. No clue where this vote came from, but this was an awesome cherry on top of this round. Whoever p osted this – anything else by these folks I should check out?
ADROCK i am just finding all this after i couldn’t understand how the voting worked (janos just told me yesterday that voting was every day…) this is from june so maybe nobody will read it…
fyi all, hilltop hoods are an austalian group, not british. my other favorite song of theirs is ‘the hard road,’ they’ve got a couple of albums —–
and on second thought imma just email.
Son of a Preacherman – 5.0 vs This is how We Do It – 4.0
Alice – 8.0 vs Bittersweet Symphony – 3.0
Poison – 7.0 vs Change – 6.0
What Is and What Should Be – 4.0 vs Nosebleed Section – 6.0
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 5
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 5.5
I wanted me some Dusty so bad while I was listening to Mavis. Hard judging version and not song but hey, welcome to the battlefield, Staples 🙂
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: 3
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 9
Dear The Verve, I love you despite Richard’s extreme ugliness. I wish I’d thought to nominate ‘Sonnet’. I hope you stomp all over Tom: wasn’t feeling Alice at all.
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: 9
#13 Change, Blind Melon: 8
Posion reminds me of car journeys with Dad while Mum wasn’t in the car to turn it off. Fab. Could listen over and over. Hadn’t heard Change before but loved it from the moment it started. Tough matchup.
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 3.5
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 3
No thanks.
Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples v. This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan = 3 to 3.5
Alice, Tom Waits v. Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve = 5.5 to 9.5
I’ve never actually listened to later Tom Waits. It’s such a thing I’ve always been intimidated to get started. I’ll get to it one of these days. I may end up giving the Verve a 10 later on in the tourney. Been re-listening to ‘A Northern Soul’ all week – I definitely prefer the drugged out non-songs of the first two albums over the acoustic guitar crooning of ‘Urban Hymns’, but they definitely nailed this one fo sho.
Poison, Alice Cooper v. Change, Blind Melon = 5.5 to 8
I appreciate Alice Cooper as a hometown boy, and definitely like listening to his radio show, but that’s about it 😦
I actually like this Blind Melon song a lot. Poor bastards.
What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin v. The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods = 8.5 to 4
This Zep solo is the first I learned using a slide – so simple and killer. Hilltop Hoods – nice sample. I thought they were German at first. Or maybe Dutch.
I don’t know much music from Australia, but I did always think the Cosmic Psychos were cool (from the legendary Dope, Guns, and Fucking Your Video Deck series):
Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples = 4
vs.This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan = 6.5
Not gonna lie, I’m still kind of burnt out on the version of Preacherman from the last tournament. Great song, but I’m just not feeling it.
Alice, Tom Waits = 3.5
vs. Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve = 5.5
Poison, Alice Cooper = 6.5
vs. Change, Blind Melon = 6
What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin = 5
vs. The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods = 8
Never heard Hilltop Hoods before. This song is great!
Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples = 8
vs.This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan = 5.5
Alice, Tom Waits = 9.5
vs. Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve = 5
Alice blew me away this morning. I hadn’t heard this song before – but it is so haunting and dark and wonderful.
Poison, Alice Cooper = 7.5
vs. Change, Blind Melon = 7
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Poison this morning. I didn’t think I liked Alice Cooper. And I remember Blind Melon – but not this song. Another surprise that I enjoyed. Thanks nominators – I will be happy to hear either song again.
What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin = 6.5
vs. The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods = 8.5
Who are you Hilltop Hoods?! This song was just what I wanted to hear this morning. Pumped to go investigate this band.
I love that the two songs I am going to download this morning are Alice and The Nosebleed Section. Great round!
Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 7
This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 5
Alice, Tom Waits: 8
Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve:7
Poison, Alice Cooper: 9.5
Change, Blind Melon: 6
What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 6
The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 2
Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 8
This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 3
Alice, Tom Waits: 9
Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve:6
Poison, Alice Cooper: 10
Change, Blind Melon: 3
What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin:9
The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 4
Easiest match ups ever.
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 9.5
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 4
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: 7.9
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 5.2
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: 8
#13 Change, Blind Melon: 7.9
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 6.5
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 5
Votes from me/Tessa. My comments
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 6/6.5
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 6.5/4.5
I’m too disconnected from Son of a Preacherman to love it, it sounds like something from a Forrest Gump montage. Montell makes me want to get jiggy or something.
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: 9.6/8
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 3.5/8.5
Devastatingly gorgeous Waits song. As for the Verve, I’ll say this much: this track is very, very… bittersweet. Too heavy handed. Also, Cruel Intentions!
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: 3/3
#13 Change, Blind Melon: 5.2/5
We’re really disappointed this isn’t an Alice Cooper cover of the Bel Biv Devoe song. Also, its not a good song. If you’re going to do a simple power chord anthem with unsophisticated lyrics at least go *hard*- the guitar sound is weaaaaak. Don’t know what to say about Blind Melon, except that this song is better than Poison.
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 8/8.5
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 7/6
Zep is zep. Hilltop hoods- not bad but the Australian accent kind of screws up the flow for me.
Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 10
This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 1
The most unfair matchup in history. 🙂
Alice, Tom Waits: 5.5
Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 2.5
Poison, Alice Cooper: 3
Change, Blind Melon: 6
What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 7
The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 7
What would Dusty say
Mavis 4.5
Montell 2.5
Montell gets a bonus 0.5 point for sampling the beat off “Children’s Story.”
Alice 8.7
Bittersweet Symphony 4.2
Alice sounds like a break-up in the rain. Bittersweet Symphony sounds like a basketball game.
Poison 8.5
Change 9.85
True Wiki story of the chicken is better than the urban legend one (i.e. that Cooper bit off a chicken’s head): “Cooper claims that the infamous “Chicken Incident” at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival concert in September 1969 was an accident. A chicken somehow made its way onto the stage during Cooper’s performance, and not having any experience around farm animals, Cooper presumed that, because the chicken had wings, it would be able to fly. He picked it up and threw it out over the crowd, expecting it to fly away. The chicken instead plummeted into the first few rows occupied by disabled people in wheelchairs, who reportedly proceeded to tear the bird to pieces.”
That said, Change has been a favorite song of mine for years, in a number of previous personal tournaments. Thanks nominator. Great match-up.
What Is And What Should Never Be 5.6
Nosebleed Section 7.5
I love this song! “Take a plane to Japan and drink sake with the mafia, fly to Libya for some Bacardi with Gaddhafi-a”? Daaaaaamn, Gina. Thanks nominator, there goes another 99 cents .
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: – 5 – points off because i much prefer the other version
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: – 7 –
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: – 4 –
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: – 8.5 –
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: – 5 –
#13 Change, Blind Melon: – 6 –
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: – 4 –
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: – 7 – a nice surprise
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 6
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 3
love soap, love mavis, not a huge supporter of the combination. however, i strongly dislike tihwdi.
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: 2
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 9.5
i don’t get tom waits. alice did nothing for me, except make me anxious for the verve to come on. i looooove bittersweet. always.
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: 6
#13 Change, Blind Melon: 9.5
poison was far from terrible… but since i nominated change (“you’re welcome” to those that appreciated it!), of course i like it a whole lot. i’m a huge blind melon fan and was both shocked & disappointed that “no rain” was eliminated in the first round of the ltd tournament, so i had to give them another shot. but man, this is a tight battle… i get so worked up over the performance of my nominated songs (and i’m not even checking the spreadsheet for point totals)!
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 8
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 8.5
wow. hilltop hoods. where did that come from? dig it!
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 8
prefer Dusty Springfield’s sexier tempo, but Mavis makes me believe
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 4
wait, how now? Didn’t catch it…
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: 8.5
magical storyteller
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 6
you’re half right
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: 6
probably needs some context, and my apt aint it
#13 Change, Blind Melon: 7.5
well, what do ya know?
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 9
almost unfair…two great songs in one
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 7.5
very good, but who said life was fair?
Context for today: I listened to some of these while hiking out of the Montana back country. I’m listening to the rest and voting from the parking lot of a Glacier visitors center. I am super pooped from a 7 mile hike w a 30 lb backpack.
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 9.5
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 7
I was a little shocked by the low scores for preacherman until the ladies started voting. Turns out I like this song no matter who is singing it. Jordan was a surprise, I’ve never really listened to the song before and a like how damn positive it is.
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: 3
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 6
It’s probably sacrilege to score Tom waits so low but that song was painful. And I want to like it because that’s my best friend’s name and because I often like Tom waits, but I really don’t want to hear that again.
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: 6.5
#13 Change, Blind Melon: 7
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin:
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods:
This is another one I’m not gonna vote in because YouTube only has live versions of the nosebleed section and it’s not on rhapsody and I can’t access Grooveshark.
#1 Son Of A Preacherman, Mavis Staples: 5
#16 This is How We Do It, Montell Jordan: 3
#7 Alice, Tom Waits: 2
#9 Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve: 9.8
I have never gotten the Tom Waits appeal. After 2 listens, I still don’t.
I never get sick of bittersweet symphony.
#4 Poison, Alice Cooper: 6
#13 Change, Blind Melon: 7
#5 What is And What Should Never Be, Led Zeppelin: 8
#12 The Nosebleed Section, Hilltop Hoods: 5
Zeppelin hit the spot on this sunny day.
Son of a Preacher: 4 (Not my favorite version)
This is How we Do it: 5 (Nostalgia)
Alice: 1
Bittersweet Symphony: 8
Poison: 2
Change: 7
What is: 6
Nosebleed: 4 (I felt like I was listening to the Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz)