Battle of the Bands: SEND ME ON MY WAY

I Almost did not post for today's Battle of the Bands, hosted by DfensDogG Stephen T. McCarthy and the woodland nymph Far Away Series. Its hot and windy, I only have a swamp cooler, and my computer is hating all the damp, dusty air. Keys sticking, aphids coming in during the evenings for the glowing light, cat leaving hair everywhere, my wine tasting of hairy-dust and getting warm too quickly. My hands sweating and smudging everything. Enough to make me want to take a long break. Soon.

My head feels all stuffed with damp fluff, and everything I came up with for the second post in the Dads, Grads, and Grooms theme for June limply fizzled away. I kinda started a love song to counter the RUN advice; I'm a glass-half-empty girl, so gotta get that negativity out of the way before clawing upward to bliss. Somehow love and romance seemed too radically opposite, even though it perfectly fits for dads and grooms who stick it out.

Nearly despairing of finding a song for today, I discovered Rusted Root, Send Me On My Way on a list of top songs for graduates. Seems to fit for the adventures into the future for marriage and fatherhood too. So . .

The lyrics were written by Rusted Root frontman Michael Glabiki, and several members of the band contributed musical tracks. A rough version of the song appeared on their Cruel Sun album released in 1992, and a cleaner version on their 1994 album When I Woke. The nonsensical lyrics are attributed to a general "happiness" feeling in the studio during the song's impromptu creation. The single (1995) made it to #72 on Billboard's Hot 100, and Send Me On My Way has made its notable appearances at commencement ceremonies and as part of a soundtrack for multiple children's movies as Matilda and Ice Age; and was used as the soundtrack for the coming of age tv drama series Party Of Five. Its highest honor, however, is that NASA used the song as wake-up music on the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity, for Sol 21.




Despite the song's wide media usage, I found no covers for the upbeat little ditty. Nope, none. Unless you count a few garage-band type productions and karaoke recordings. The contenders for today's Battle of the Bands feature are quite a step up from garage band, however, but were nearly impossible to find. Please welcome to the stage The Black Eagle jazz band and a group known all over the North East as Annie in the Water.

Copied From their website:  The Black Eagle's is have been a fixture on the international jazz scene since 1971, bringing the sounds of traditional New Orleans Jazz to audiences all over the world, for more than 40 years! Many observers regard us as the premier band playing in the traditional jazz style; we do regard ourselves as the "Keepers of the Flame”.

If you like the uplifting and soulful music of New Orleans you'll love the sound of the New Black Eagle Jazz Band. The band has delighted audiences all over the world with their huge and eclectic repertoire of jazz from the 1920's and 30's. The group has a mature mastery of this great American music- from Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton to early Duke Ellington to Cole Porter; from blues to rags to popular songs of the era.

The band has performed extensively all across North America, and has toured throughout Europe countless times. They have performed in New Orleans, London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Toronto to name a few. In 2011 they opened the Newport Jazz Festival to a packed house. They have been featured in concert with many jazz legends including Doc Cheatham, "Kid" Thomas, Benny Waters, Odetta and Milt Hinton, and with symphony orchestras - the Boston Pops, the Scottish National Orchestra , the Baltimore Symphony to name a few.

The band has released over 40 recordings (including the Grammy-nominated "On the River") and videos. Their music has been featured in Ken Burns' documentaries and on NPR Radio. The band has also been a guest on The Prairie Home Companion show.




Copied From their website: Annie in the Water is a high-energy Acoustic/electric jam group that blends Rock, Reggae, Funk, Groove, Blues, Hip-Hop and Bluegrass to deliver a unique sound and an unforgettable performance. With a multitude of genres, exclusive electronic tones and elaborate looping, Annie in the Water has bridged a fan base between young and old. What is really special is the group’s ability to play to any atmosphere whether it be a festival, bar, venue, private party, wedding or dinner music.

Beginning in 2008, with every performance the band’s presence adapts and the sound evolves, creating a blend of music and entertainment that is both inspired by and tailored to the audience.  Dynamic originals combined with the ability to render current hits and classic tunes in their own creative style are elements that contribute to the perpetual fun atmosphere and great vibes that can’t be duplicated anywhere else.  What keeps fans coming back is the excitement of knowing that something different will happen every show since the group likes to incorporate songs within songs and mix-match beatbox with freestyle jams and lyrics.

Not only does  Annie in the Water possess the ability to perform a highly entertaining show, but they also maintain a high level of professionalism at all times. When it’s time to work, nothing else matters and that is why their popularity not only grows with fans, but with venues and promoters as well.  Their social media network provides quantitative proof that Annie in the Water’s sound resonates across the nation and that their fan base spans worldwide…  This is only the beginning.


Ok, you know the drill; lets vote for your favorite contender (or least disliked) in the comments. Remember, the contest is between THE BLACK EAGLES and ANNIE IN THE WATER. If  you would like to visit a list of more Battle of the Bands participants, visit the fearless Saint Mac.

Stay cool, and keep tapping those toes!!