I´ve always been distrustful of fast talkers in life - they are so often trying to pass something off by intellectual sleight of hand - so I didn´t like Diabolic at all. He was so irritatingly fast that I could hardly follow what he was saying, and when I could, I rather wished I hadn´t: there seems to be a line about using someone´s lap as a toilet ? And the very last word of Diabolic´s recital was b*tch , which I also find offensive, although it seems to be a commonplace these days.

In contrast, Drake´s performance was a real treat; conducted at a pace that was comfortable instead of stress-inducing, it included natural pauses that allowed both artist and audience a chance to gather their thoughts. I also liked Drake´s laughing touches of modesty - very welcome after the humourless self-importance of Diabolic´s performance.

So that´s Diabolic 2
............. Drake 2

- and apologies to Dwnwthvwls if I´ve been harsh about an artist you like...

Everyone else who wants to vote has until Thursday, March 26 to do so. Then Pet Sounds is up.

No need to apologize. I'm just glad people are actually listening.

^ Thank you for the friendly comment, Dwwthvwls ! And when are you going to cast your own vote ? Frownland is really cranking up the pressure.... tick tock, tick tock....

I honestly didn't like either very much, but Drake gets my vote for his understandability. (I think that's a word.)

Drake - 3
Diabolic - 2

^ Yep, I´m pretty sure that´s a word, P_S.
And after a slow start, Drake pulls into the lead ... this is nail-biting stuff!

Only a few more hours until the next round, gents.

Diabolic for me so 3-3 tie. I thought we didn't vote on our own.

****. Okay, I'll give it till 9ish PST before I call this one a draw.

I don't enjoy either of them but I still will give credit where credit is due, Diabolic is the a much better emcee and shows off his abilities much more than Drake.

Diabolic - 4
Drake - 3

You've been added to the list. You'll be going on after Pet_Sounds.

The Beach Boys - Our Prayer



vs

Take 6 - He Never Sleeps

PST = Pacific Standard Time but it's cool.

Going with the Beach Boys, thought the other one was a bit cheesy.

Beach Boys - 1
Take 6 - 0

Whoops, forgot the time difference. Sorry man.

I'm going to hold off voting on this one unless it's absolutely necessary to break a tie--they're that close for me.

BBoys - 2
Take 6 - 0

God I do not like the Beach Boys, but you have to admit there's nobody who harmonises like them. A bit annoying that there are no words at all, but even so, the other one is like something off a 40s Hollywood radio ad or something, so BB win.

Beach Boys -- 3
Take 6 - 0

BB - 3
T6 - 1

Something about the high pitched vocal in the BB song that was a bit grating, and that's why I've never been a fan of the Beach Boys. The T6 number had a mellower tone, and just made more sense to me.

The freshness and fullness of Beach Boys harmonies always gets to me, and I'm a major BB fan, but there's something more complex about the Take 6 harmonies here that I find more interesting.

BB - 3
T6 - 2

(Frownland, would you please add me? Thanks.)

I suppose Brian Wilson´s attention to detail became so intense at one point that a one-minute "shape" as I think he called them, counted as a good day´s work, but for me Our Prayer just isn´t substantial enough to be satisfying. I think it should´ve been tucked into another song somehow, not given the status of a title and track number all of its own, which leads us to expect more than we are actually given.

So my vote is for He Never Sleeps, although I know that Pet_Sounds has better a capella tracks in his collection ;) :-



BB - 3
T6 - 3

I agree with Plankton and ribbons. The Take 6 song had a mellower tone, made more sense (because it had words), and was more interesting because of its greater complexity, such as when the soloist sang with the vocal harmonies in the background.

I don't like either song, but my vote goes to Take 6:

Beach Boys -- 3
Take 6 -- 4

Alright, I'll give this another few hours before I pass it along to Micco.

Pretty close match, but Take 6 takes the gold. Micco, post your battle whenever you're ready.

Well, Micco has had five or so days to look through his record collection and choose a couple of tracks for this thread. I propose we move on to ribbons and invite her to post her choices, then go back to Micco when he's ready.

What do you think, acapellarians ?

I PMed him but he hasn't responded. Probably busy with the holidays or something. Ribbons, your turn to take the wheel.

Micco doesn't post often. Skip!

I PMed ribbons and we've gotten no response yet, so if she doesn't post anything by tomorrow evening (wheneverthe**** PST), I'll be posting my next battle.

Nothing's better than this

I was waiting for this to show up.

Sorry man they're both awful. Of the two, I hate Son House less so

Ralph Stanley - 0
Son House - 1

Those songs are incredible man. You seriously didn't like O Death? Damn dude, don't be sorry for me, be sorry for yourself and your taste in music.

This is a difficult battle for me, I'm going to have to think on it for a while.

Ralph Stanley:
In this song, I liked the touch of black humour when RS sings,"Oh Death, please consider my age; Please don´t take me at this stage" . Overall though, "Oh Death" succeeds too well in its dirge-like purpose; too sluggish, too depressing for me.

Son House:
Something about this song reminded me of good old Beefheart; maybe it was the occasional "Hoooo" interjections, or the way the claps punctuate the recital like the on/off clicks of Beefheart´s tape deck. Either way, this is the one that wins my vote.

Ralph Stanley : 0
Son House : 2

O death was, as Lisna has said, awfully depressing and I found it boring beyond belief. I actually like Son House, but didn't like this particular song.

There's nothing wrong with my taste: I hate your music, don't I? :laughing:

Ralph Stanley - 1
Son House - 2

I didn't like Son House much but that first song was nice. I don't mind the depressing lyrics.

(Sorry for missing my turn to post an a cappella battle. I was not able to be online and post here last week.)

Interesting you should mention the Beefheart connection, Lisanholic -- I can definitely hear it in Son House's "Grinnin'" and as a matter of fact, can hear it as well in Ralph Stanley's "O Death". (Note: witness R. Stanley's/The Bootleggers' cover of "Sure 'Nuff 'N' Yes" on the Lawless soundtrack.) These two are actually close for me, but I'm selecting Son House for the playful handclaps which are a good foil to the paranoid lyrics.

Ralph Stanley - 1
Son House - 3

On the song Tarotplane, Beefheart references the track pretty directly. He repeats a good friend is hard to find several times on that one.

I think that Mirror Man is pretty underrated amongst psych and Beef fans.

Forgot about "Tarotplane" referencing that line. I have Mirror Man Sessions but haven't listened to it in a long time - very tired today, so I probably should listen to "Moody Liz (Take 8)". ;)

ribbons, Frownland : thanks for passing on those connections and references. How well informed you both are ! I will be checking up on that cover version of Sure 'Nuff and may revisit Tarotplane too.

( For my ignorant self, Ralph Stanley was a completely new name, and I´d forgotten that "good friend" line in Tarotplane. My excuse for the latter is that I probably haven´t played that album for about thirty years. In fact, at that time I found it a bit disappointing; it didn´t have the punch and power of Strictly Personal, and the repetitive lyrics were a let down after hearing (on TMR) what the Beef would later become capable of. Still, if it gets Frownland´s seal of approval, I´d better give it another chance! )

Ralph Stanley - 1
Son House - 4

This discussion has convinced me to give Beefheart a shot. Should I start with TMR?

I love TMR, but Safe as Milk is usually the best place to start.

This is the first place that I heard the Stanley song: