Welcome to
Vinyl Gladiators,
another variation of my song cover
competition heretofore known as
Winning Hand... Version Sacrifice...
and BATTLE OF THE BANNED.
Today I present a lurid spectacle
staged solely for your amusement!
Covers of popular songs will do battle today as you sit comfortably in your box seat
in the amphitheater eating grapes, getting a massage and having your feet washed.
The fate of these brave warriors rests in your hands. How many of them, if any,
will survive the day? Let the squeamish be forewarned. Molten wax will
surely be spilled in the course of this gruesome contest!
The combatants have
entered the ring.
Vinyl gladiators now
stand before you.
Allow me to introduce
Allow me to introduce
them and... let the
games commence!
BEN E. KING
Drifters lead singer Ben E. King co-wrote and originally recorded "Stand By Me,"
a secular love song inspired by the spiritual "Lord, Stand By Me." King intended
for the song to be recorded by The Drifters but they declined. In 1961, as a solo
artist, King waxed a version that reached #1 on the R&B chart and top 5 pop.
"Stand By Me" - Ben E. King
(June 1961, highest chart pos. #1 R&B/#3 Cash Box/#4 Hot 100)
SPYDER TURNER
Born in Beckley (WV) and raised in the Motor City, Dwight David "Spyder"
Turner sang with doo-wop groups and signed a recording contract with
MGM. In late 1966, Spyder released a cover of "Stand By Me."
The recording is novelty in nature because Turner imitates Ben E. King
and other R&B and soul greats including Smokey Robinson, David Ruffin,
Chuck Jackson and Billy "Motormouth" Stewart. Spyder's take on the song
made the top 3 on the R&B chart and brushed the top 10 on the pop survey.
"Stand By Me" - Spyder Turner
(Jan./Feb. 1967, highest chart pos. #3 R&B,
#11 Cash Box/#12 Hot 100)
#11 Cash Box/#12 Hot 100)
As a bonus, I'd like you to see and hear this very rare clip of Spyder Turner doing
his hit on Village Square, a weekly music TV show that originated from a studio
in Charleston, SC, and was syndicated across the country from 1965 to 1968.
"Stand By Me" - Spyder Turner
(perf. on TV show The Village Square, Charleston, SC)
JOHN LENNON
In February, 1975, John Lennon released a cover of "Stand By Me" on his sixth
solo studio album Rock 'n' Roll. The following month the song was released as
a single and reached the top 20 in the U.S. In April, John performed his latest
hit on the UK based TV music show The Old Grey Whistle Test.
"Stand By Me" - John Lennon
(Apr./May 1975, highest chart pos. #20 Hot 100 & Cash Box,
perf. on Apr. 18, 1975, ep. of The Old Grey Whistle Test)
SCARLET FEVER!
That's right. Shady's come down with a case of scarlet fever,
because three exciting female rockers are about to join the
competition, each of them a ravishing redhead, each of
them covering an 80s hit. Let's meet the ladies now!
COLE ROLLAND &
HALOCENE feat.
ADDIE NICOLE
I introduced this first fiery frontwoman
a few weeks ago in my special feature
That Was Then - This Is Now. She's
Addie Nicole... lead singer of the
Phoenix, Arizona, band Halocene.
Once again, Addie is joined by
Canadian guitarist Cole Rolland as
they do a metal cover of Bon Jovi's
hit "You Give Love A Bad Name!"
"You Give Love A Bad Name"
Bon Jovi metal cover by
Cole Rolland & Halocene
(Feb. 2021)
ANDREEA MUNTEANU
& ANDREI CERBU
Now, from Eastern Europe, and also making a return visit to Shady's Place, here's that
zesty rising star from Romania, zinger Andreea Munteanu. On her popular YouTube
channel, versatile Andreea is part pop princess and part classic rocker. Andreea
shines as lead zinger of guitar wizard Andrei Cerbu's band The Iron Cross,
and in this performance Andreea & Andrei collaborate on a cover of
English popper Samantha Fox's 1986 synth-rock hit
"Touch Me (I Want Your Body)."
"Touch Me (I Want Your Body)" - Samantha Fox
cover by Andreea Munteanu & Andrei Cerbu (Feb. 2021)
SHUT UP & KISS ME!
feat. DARIA BAHRIN
The third sassy redhead is Daria Bahrin,
another Romanian singer discovered by
Andrei Cerbu. Daria fronts a band of
Andrei's called Shut Up & Kiss Me!
Enjoy this cookin' cover as sassy
Daria and her bandmates bring out
our animal instincts performing
Def Leppard's 1987 rock
anthem "Animal!"
"Animal" - Def Leppard cover
by Shut Up & Kiss Me! feat.
Daria Bahrin (Dec. 2020)
Put down your
wine goblet...
slowly rise from
your throne...
face these vinyl
gladiators and
render your decision.
Which lucky cover gets thumbs up
and lives to play another day?
Which poor devils get the
dreaded thumbs down
and are reduced to
puddles of molten wax
and lives to play another day?
Which poor devils get the
dreaded thumbs down
and are reduced to
puddles of molten wax
on the Colosseum floor?
The decision is yours!
The decision is yours!
So many covers of Stand By Me..... but honestly, I don't think anyone can do it like Ben E. King.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kelly & Pat!
DeleteHow are you today, dear friend(s)? I welcome both of you as the Early Birds for this week's post, an eerie spectacle called Vinyl Gladiators!
I'd have to agree with you that Ben E. King's recording of "Stand By Me" remains the definitive, although that Spyder Turner parody version made a big splash in Central PA when I was a teenager.
Thanks again for stopping in, dear friend Kelly, and have a great weekend!
I do love the original Ben E King version and had to smile at the 2 young actors getting up to dance beside him. It is such a shame that River Phoenix died so young. I have to give it to Spyder Turner who knew how to pay homage to so many great singers so he is my top pick for sure. John Lennon was ok but he doesn't measure up to Ben or Spyder. I have to look up Spyder now. As for the redheads....
ReplyDeleteAddie is the best in my books even though she went all evil and devil with that morbid heavy metal style in the middle. It was done very well even though I would not listen to it normally. The other reds are good but I didn't care for the valleygirl in the middle and the last one was ok but I didn't get any special vibe from her. So there you have it. Have a wonderful weekend!!
Hi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for coming over and taking the Early Bird runner-up title, dear friend! The silver trophy is yours and yours alone!!!!!
I'm thrilled that you enjoyed Spyder Turer's novelty record in which he imitates the voices of various soul and R&B greats. You heard the single. On the long album version Spyder adds several more impressions of soul & R&B stars of the period. I once owned that album but foolishly sold it in 1990 when I converted my collection to CDs.
Regarding the "Scarlet Fever" segment of the competition, shucks, I get a "special vibe" from each and every one of those redheads, BB! :) I'm glad you singled out Addie Nicole, though, because she is my favorite woman of rock at the moment, heavy metal and all.
It's such a pleasure to have you over, Birgit, and again I thank you for wasting no time reporting in. I wish you a safe and happy weekend, dear friend BB, and I'll be seeing you -- "At The Movies!"
BB - I need to correct myself. There are two Spyder Turner videos in the post. The first is indeed the long version which offers the full slate of artists Spyder imitates. The second vid, his "live" (lip sync) performance on The Village Square, is the single edit that was popular on the radio. Check out Spyder's nifty move as he drops to his knees at the 3:10 mark!
DeleteSorry if I confused you, dear friend BB. Have a super weekend!
Like everybody else, I have to go with Ben E.King, just because that song belongs to him and it is in my heart. Spyder was very good and he had a lot to offer with other voices, but he is not Ben E. King. I love John Lennon, he has his own fantastic music that will live for generations, but Stand By Me only belongs to one person.
ReplyDeleteWith the ladies I will have to give my nod to Addie Nicole. Being a redhead myself (except for 8 months of Covid and no access to a hairdresser), I appreciated all these ladies, but Addie won it for me.
Hi, Arleen!
DeleteHow's it going up there in the Keystone State, dear friend? You finished third in the race to Shady's Place, and that means you take home the bronze medal. Congratulations! :)
I thank you for joining the fun and witnessing these vinyl gladiators doing battle. I'm sure you remember actor Victor Mature in Demetrius and the Gladiators and Kirk Douglas in the Stanley Kubrick film Spartacus.
It doesn't surprise me that most people favor the original version of "Stand By Me." It's hard to beat, even though Spyder Turner gets credit for a creative arrangement using vocal imitations of other soul men like David Ruffin, Smokey Robinson and Chuck Jackson and injecting lines from their respective song hits. Isn't that a nice music video? IMDB sez: << Ben E. King performs in the music video for "Stand by Me" from the original motion picture soundtrack for Stand by Me (1986). King sings to an audience before inviting actors River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton to join him in the song. Clips from the film are also shown. >>
I thought you might find it fascinating to know (if you don't already) the story behind the naming of The Old Grey Whistle Test, the British music TV show that John Lennon appeared on. The term harks back to New York City's Tin Pan Alley, a reference to the group of music publishers and songwriters that dominated the popular music scene at the time. Wiki sez: << According to presenter Bob Harris, the programme derived its name from a Tin Pan Alley phrase from years before. When they (the publishers and songwriters) got the first pressing of a record, they would play it to people they called the "old greys" – doormen in grey suits. Any song they (the doormen) could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test. >>
You cast another virtual vote for Addie Nicole, the carrot top siren who has been my favorite lady of rock since I discovered her Phoenix-based band Halocene's channel last year. Thanks for sharing that you are a redhead yourself.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the show, dear friend Arleen. Take good care of yourself, the world needs you, and please join me for my next post on April 1 when one of America's favorite funny men does his stand-up comedy routine right here on Shady's stage!
I choose Otis Day and the Knights cover of "Shout".
ReplyDeleteWhat, it's not included? Well, excuse me, but you said gladiators and gladiators made me think of Ancient Rome and Ancient Rome made me think of togas and togas made me think of toga parties and toga parties made me think of Otis Day and the Knights.
OK, I guess I have to choose from what's being offered. I'm guessing Ben E. King is not what's being offered since that's the original and not a cover.
You might be surprised by this but I choose John Lennon's "Stand by Me". It's an arrangement that strays just enough away from the original to make it original in its own right, but not so far away that the virtues of the original are tossed to the lions like Androcles. And when I say "arrangement" I mean more than anything else vocal arrangement. John Lennon had a knack for paying tribute to his R&B precursors without making a fool of himself by pretending he'd grew up in the Mississippi Delta instead of Liverpool.
As for all the other gladiators: thumbs sideways (I'm sorry if that's wishy-washy, but any violence outside of a Quentin Tarantino movie makes me queasy.)
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for coming by on your weekend, good buddy! I appreciated your game of Six Degrees connecting the dots between gladiators and Otis Day and the Knights. Now you've got me adding links and thinking about the quote "a double Rock and Rye and seven Carlings," which leads me to think about Neidermeyer's diatribe: "A PLEDGE PIN?!?! On your UNIFORM?! Just tell me, mister, what fraternity would pledge a man like you?," which reminds me that actor Mark Metcalf, who played Neidermeyer in Animal House, was featured as a high school teacher in the Twisted Sister music video for "I Wanna Rock," which reminds me that Twisted Sister's hit "We're Not Gonna Take It" was one of the "Filthy Fifteen" songs declared objectionable by the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), and that Dee Snider testified at those senate hearings which were presided over by Tipper Gore, wife of Senator, Vice President and presidential candidate Al Gore. See there -- you can't get away from politics for very long. "It just goes to show you," as Roseanne Roseannadanna reminds us, "It's always something," which brings us back to SNL.
Good point about John Lennon's method of covering American soul, R&B and blues. He rendered the songs in his own style, giving us a fresh perspective.
Molten wax has been spilled in the arena, because you turned thumbs down on the redheaded rockettes and Spyder Turner. That's AOK, good buddy. I'm glad you gave thumbs up to Ben E. King and Lennon's performance on Whistle Test.
Thanks again for joining the fun and enjoy the rest of your weekend, good buddy Kirk!
Hi Shady. What a fun post this is! Ben E. King really got a hold of it, didn't he with that fabulous "Stand by Me" number. Karo and I worked on recording the song ourselves, and he just wasn't happy with his voice on it. We worked it at a different tempo with me on keys, and I thought it was coming along great, but we didn't finish it.
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you, I like all covers of "Stand by Me" that you offer here. I especially enjoyed Spyder Turner...what a character! He did great voice interpretations of the various artists, Smokey, Wilson Pickett, and James Brown, among the others. At the beginning, I felt like Spyder didn't have quite the push and rhythm that Ben E King offered, but as the song progressed, I loved it! It just got better and better! I also loved John Lennon's cover of the song, and wondered what possessed him to do this one, other than the fact that he could! He did some pretty good covers of other rock and roll songs, and I know this was his favorite influence-got him going in the beginning with his amazing talent and unique voice.
I like Cole Rolland and Halocene's cover of "You Give Love a Bad Name". I think the instrumentals were great, and Addie with the other artists vocals drew us all in to it, not directing the story to just one entity. Very exhilarating!
All but one survive the day, Shady! It's hard to choose, but I have to give Ben E. King's covers the A #1 spot. Snyder really brought it on! I liked Andrea's cover of "Touch Me", as I do remember the song, but my thumbs down has to go to Daria's band and Def Leppard cover of "Animal".
This was very stimulating, Shady, and enjoyable. Thank you for your hard work putting the Battle of the Banned together. Great job, my friend. Take care, Shady and have a great remainder of your weekend.
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteThanks for being on hand to witness the clash of the vinyl gladiators, dear friend!
I also thank you for sharing the anecdote about you and Karo working together in your home recording studio on Ben E. King's "Stand By Me." I'm sorry it remained an unfinished project. As you listen to the song, it's easy to understand that it is only inches across the line that separates gospel and secular.
That Spyder Turner novelty number was a biggie in my neck of the woods, and I ran out and bought that MGM single and later the album so that I'd have the full length version you hear in this post. Released in November 1966 and peaking on the chart in January and February of '67, "Stand By Me" was Spyder Turner's third and by far his most successful single. His first record was released way back in 1964 on the obscure Cha-Tok label, his second earlier in 1966 on the Good Time imprint. After "Stand By Me" Spyder hopped around to half a dozen other record labels in search of a repeat hit, but to no avail.
I am also excited that you singled out the John Lennon cover. Yessum, Lennon, one of the most prolific songwriters in pop history, nevertheless was fond of and influenced by American R&B, soul, rock & roll and blues artists and sometimes covered their work. Several early Beatles singles and albums contain covers of such material. I too like the way John handled Ben E. King's smooth classic.
Yay! I finally found somebody who enjoyed two of the three Scarlet Fever contestants. Thanks for giving props to Canada Cole, Addie Nicole and the Halocene musicians for their performance covering that major Bon Jovi hit. Glad you appreciate Andreea's cover of Samantha Fox's international hit "Touch Me." I thought she nailed it. You need to remember that the last two ladies are Romanian and it is a challenge for them to sing these songs in English.
I'm thrilled that you got so much enjoyment out of my Battle of the Banned. I hope you and Scootie are well and in good spirits. Stick around for laughs coming up in my next post on Thursday, April 1, when one of the most famous comedians of our time drops in to do his stand-up routine. Until then, have a wonderful Sunday and a safe and happy week, dear friend Suzanne!
Sorry I'm late Shady. It's been one of those weeks. I vote for Ben E. King all the way! I love that song but not even this die hard Beatle fan can doubt he's the man! As far as the red heads I'm just going to pass. Sorry! Heading to surgery tomorrow morning...wish me luck or just Stand By Me! Take care Shady!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteThank you for joining me for my vinyl gladiators exhibition bout, dear friend! Yessum, I know it's been a rough week for you and you're hurting. I am therefore doubly appreciative that you took time to drop by and type a comment with one hand.
I'm happy you like Ben E. King's original of "Stand By Me." I was pleased to find on YouTube that special music video produced in conjunction with the movie.
I'm sorry it's a hard pass on the redheads in the Scarlet Fever segment. I regret that they didn't resonate with you as they sang their versions of 80s rock and pop hits.
Thanks again for coming. Yessum, I certainly will be thinking about you tomorrow as you have surgery on your hand. Again, I'm very sorry your life has turned into such an ordeal these last twelve months. I will eagerly await a report on how your procedure went. My thoughts and prayers are with you, dear friend YaYa!
Good Monday morning, Tom! Thanks for dropping by earlier to hit the 4M dance floor. I'm behind on everything and I see more days like this ahead. There's no replacing the original artist version. Ben E. King does it best but of the covers, I think I like Spyder Turner's "Stand By Me". He does have a mixture of R&B vibes rolled into his style. It's interesting to learn he was born in Beckley, WV. That's not too far from where my folks live. The second contest of fiery redheads covering classic rock songs are all fine choices but the voice I liked the best is Shut Up & Kiss Me feat. Daria Bahrin.
ReplyDeleteNow it's time for me to scoot. I have miles to go before I can it a day. Have a boogietastic week, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteIt's great to see you, dear friend! Thanks for coming to see molten wax spilled in the arena as these vinyl gladiators engage in combat.
That's another virtual vote for Ben E. King's original of "Stand By Me" plus an honorable mention of Spyder Turner's novelty cover. Yessum, Spyder hails from your parents' neck of the woods.
I'm excited that you liked one of the performances in the Scarlet Fever portion of the battle that has received no lubbins at all until now - Romanian zinger Daria Bahrin doing a cover of the Def Leppard hit "Animal." I'm glad you appreciate her vocal treatment, thick Romanian accent and all.
I know you're super busy getting ready for the A to Z which starts three days from now. Thanks again for joining the fun today, dear friend Cathy!
My dear friend!
ReplyDeleteI love your set of covers this week! I never heard of Spyder Turner and was delighted by his cover of "Stand By Me." "Stand By Me" is one of my favourite songs and he did a lovely job. I love his voice.
I love Andrei Cerbu and his ladies do an amazing job! I'll have to listen to the Samantha Fox original because the song doesn't sound familiar to me, yet Andreea Munteanu gave an awesome performance and I was rocking out on my couch.... similar to Wayne's World.
Daria Bahrin has an awesome voice as well and I continued to rock harder with "Animal." "Animal is one of my favourite Def Leppard songs and Daria Bahrin nailed it. Andrei Cerbu nailed both songs.
Have a great day, dear friend Shady!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for dropping in, dear friend! I hope you had a nice weekend up there in Eastern PA.
I'm excited that you enjoyed so many aspects of my Battle of the Banned. Your dad might remember that 1967 cover of "Stand By Me" waxed by Spyder Turner. It was a significant hit in your (our) region, played frequently on the radio.
Thanks for giving props to Romanian guitar wizard Andrei Cerbu and his harem of singing beauties. Not long ago, Daria Bahrin sang mainly Romanian language ballads on Andrei's channel. In recent months, he has groomed her into a top notch rock queen. Same can be said about Andreea Munteanu who is equally adept at doing rock and pop. If you listen to the Samantha Fox original of "Touch Me" it will strike you how similar it is to the cover Andreea & Andrei laid down. Andrei Cerbu and his female-fronted bands are kicking all kinds of butt over therein Jassy - the Romanian city where Andrei's "Garage" is located.
Thanks again for joining the fun and for your great comment, dear friend JM. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady,
DeleteI'll have to ask dad tomorrow about Spyder Turner. I'll play the song for him too. If he doesn't remember the name, he'd definitely would remember the song.
I'll have to check out Daria's Romanian language songs! I bet they're gorgeous. Rockin' from Jassy, how awesome! I enjoy that YouTube channel and thought about supporting their Patreon.
I replied to your comment yesterday. Have a great evening, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteLet me know what your dad says about Spyder Turner's rendition.
Andrei Cerbu actually has three, possibly more, YouTube channels now. Recently he changed the name of his main channel, formerly known as Andrei Cerbu's Garage, to Andrei Cerbu - The Voodoo Child. Apparently that's the name of his new band which replaced The Iron Cross which was fronted by Andreea Munteanu. The featured female lead zinger of Voodoo Child is Romina Apostol, nicknamed "Rockmina." Andrei's second channel is Shut Up & Kiss Me, named after another band he formed. That band features the lead vocals of two regular female singers, Beatrice Florea and Daria Bahrin. Andreea Munteanu has her own channel, and Andrei appears regularly on it as her guitarist and sometimes as a backing vocalist.
Thanks for replying to my comment on your post. I checked earlier and didn't think you intended to. I still don't understand why you would hesitate to go public with your spiritual journey. There's nothing scandalous about it. On the contrary, it's something of which you can be proud.
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend JM!