superintelligentone
Cadet
Since it is getting close to Christmas time, I thought that this would be a good time to have a Christmas Head-to-Head Musical Duel.
The first duel is "Merry Christmas, Everyone" by Welsh Rockabilly star 'Shakin' Stevens' versus Liverpool girl group Atomic Kitten.
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The Competitors Background
- 'Shakin' Stevens'
I don't think that 'Shakin' Stevens' nor his 'Merry Christmas, Everyone' are known in North America. I understand that Shakin' Steven's "Merry Christmas has become practically a Christmas Standard in the UK.
Born Michael Barrett, he formed the band Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets at the age of 18. He switched to a sucessful solo career in the 1980s, achieving 39 hit singles.
- 'Atomic Kitten'
Since 1999, Atomic Kitten has been churning out the hits internationally. Since their recording debut, they have amassed 15 top 10 singles in the United Kingdom. The group's attained most of their success with the lineup of Natasha Hamilton, Liz (Lil') McClarnon and Jenny Frost.
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Let the Duel Begin!
I admit that I am a fan of the Kittens, but I'll be impartial in my judgment.
"Merry Christmas, Everyone" by Shakin' Stevens
http://www.youtube.c...?v=hAEP4GTVJlk&
"Merry Christmas, Everyone" by Atomic Kitten
http://www.youtube.c...?v=sIkt8gWCCT0&
--
Analysis
"Merry Christmas, Everyone" by Shakin' Stevens
Written by Bob Heatlie and produced by Dave Edmunds, this was Shakin' Stevens fourth, number one on the UK Singles Chart. Shaky performs this song with a Rockabilly flair and fun attitude that is meant to be entertaining. It seems like a hybrid of a young Elvis who hadn't found his soul-phase and... pop-version of Pat Boone (??). Fun, but lightweight fluff.
"Merry Christmas, Everyone" by Atomic Kitten
Performed in 2003, Atomic Kitten would have been familiar with Shaky's version and decided to slow the tempo down, strip the Rockabilly flair and empasize superb vocals.
The result is a winning combination of charm and the spirit of Christmas.
--
Conclusion
Atomic Kitten wins by a landslide.
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Ready for another Duel?
Mannheim Steamroller versus Trans-Siberian Orchestra performing the Christmas classic, "Carol of the Bells"
Mannheim Steamroller is a music group founded by Chip Davis, and co-founded by Jackson Berkey, known primarily for its modern recordings of Christmas music. The group has sold 28 million albums in the U.S. alone.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (often abbreviated as TSO) is an orchestra founded in 1996 by Paul O'Neill, who brought together long-time friends Jon Oliva, Robert Kinkel, and Al Pitrelli. The band's musical style incorporates progressive rock, symphonic metal, and heavy metal, with influences from classical music.
---
I could only find clips that used anime instead of concert performances.
Mannheim Steamroller - Carol of the Bells, A Fresh Aire Christmas
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=EY-EL56ArUc
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Carol of the Bells
http://www.youtube.c...?v=iv4X4J_ySu8&
---
Analysis
The Mannheim Steamroller revision of the classic seems to want keep the essence of the original, but add some modern instrumentation to spice up the song. But they aren't 'pushing the envelope'. Sure it's modern, but 'modern' in a 1970's or 1980's way.
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra revision of the classic is far more ambitious in intent. There's far more drama, from the quiet lone piano and cello prelude to tubular bell's opening, to the rocking crescendo in the main body of the song, this is the stuff that fills arenas with music lovers.
I like how TSO uses traditional orchestra instruments that lead to synthesizer approximations of string choruses and horn choruses replacing them. Bonus credits to the arranger for inserting 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' into the song as a counter-melody.
Conclusion
TSO has the better version because it is far more ambitious in intent and far more satisying in execution. I love the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's version of 'Carol of the Bells'.
The first duel is "Merry Christmas, Everyone" by Welsh Rockabilly star 'Shakin' Stevens' versus Liverpool girl group Atomic Kitten.
--
The Competitors Background
- 'Shakin' Stevens'
I don't think that 'Shakin' Stevens' nor his 'Merry Christmas, Everyone' are known in North America. I understand that Shakin' Steven's "Merry Christmas has become practically a Christmas Standard in the UK.
Born Michael Barrett, he formed the band Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets at the age of 18. He switched to a sucessful solo career in the 1980s, achieving 39 hit singles.
- 'Atomic Kitten'
Since 1999, Atomic Kitten has been churning out the hits internationally. Since their recording debut, they have amassed 15 top 10 singles in the United Kingdom. The group's attained most of their success with the lineup of Natasha Hamilton, Liz (Lil') McClarnon and Jenny Frost.
---
Let the Duel Begin!
I admit that I am a fan of the Kittens, but I'll be impartial in my judgment.
"Merry Christmas, Everyone" by Shakin' Stevens
http://www.youtube.c...?v=hAEP4GTVJlk&
"Merry Christmas, Everyone" by Atomic Kitten
http://www.youtube.c...?v=sIkt8gWCCT0&
--
Analysis
"Merry Christmas, Everyone" by Shakin' Stevens
Written by Bob Heatlie and produced by Dave Edmunds, this was Shakin' Stevens fourth, number one on the UK Singles Chart. Shaky performs this song with a Rockabilly flair and fun attitude that is meant to be entertaining. It seems like a hybrid of a young Elvis who hadn't found his soul-phase and... pop-version of Pat Boone (??). Fun, but lightweight fluff.
"Merry Christmas, Everyone" by Atomic Kitten
Performed in 2003, Atomic Kitten would have been familiar with Shaky's version and decided to slow the tempo down, strip the Rockabilly flair and empasize superb vocals.
The result is a winning combination of charm and the spirit of Christmas.
--
Conclusion
Atomic Kitten wins by a landslide.
----------
Ready for another Duel?
Mannheim Steamroller versus Trans-Siberian Orchestra performing the Christmas classic, "Carol of the Bells"
Mannheim Steamroller is a music group founded by Chip Davis, and co-founded by Jackson Berkey, known primarily for its modern recordings of Christmas music. The group has sold 28 million albums in the U.S. alone.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (often abbreviated as TSO) is an orchestra founded in 1996 by Paul O'Neill, who brought together long-time friends Jon Oliva, Robert Kinkel, and Al Pitrelli. The band's musical style incorporates progressive rock, symphonic metal, and heavy metal, with influences from classical music.
---
I could only find clips that used anime instead of concert performances.
Mannheim Steamroller - Carol of the Bells, A Fresh Aire Christmas
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=EY-EL56ArUc
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Carol of the Bells
http://www.youtube.c...?v=iv4X4J_ySu8&
---
Analysis
The Mannheim Steamroller revision of the classic seems to want keep the essence of the original, but add some modern instrumentation to spice up the song. But they aren't 'pushing the envelope'. Sure it's modern, but 'modern' in a 1970's or 1980's way.
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra revision of the classic is far more ambitious in intent. There's far more drama, from the quiet lone piano and cello prelude to tubular bell's opening, to the rocking crescendo in the main body of the song, this is the stuff that fills arenas with music lovers.
I like how TSO uses traditional orchestra instruments that lead to synthesizer approximations of string choruses and horn choruses replacing them. Bonus credits to the arranger for inserting 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' into the song as a counter-melody.
Conclusion
TSO has the better version because it is far more ambitious in intent and far more satisying in execution. I love the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's version of 'Carol of the Bells'.