"Cover Band" - July 1, 2022

[CPJohnson]

To go with my latest avatar, here's a video of a monarch emerging from its chrysalis:

[Scott Lindholm]

14 minutes start to finish--not a personal record, but not bad for me. Glad I took the time to squeeze it in.

Have a happy and safe 4th. When people stop trying to get here by the millions, I'll start worrying about the greatness of our country.

[Tom Shea]

Tell It Like It Is

R&B, Texas blues, rock or pop
Will the musical mix ever stop?
So it seems on the level
To suggest Aaron Neville
Could cover the band ZZ Top

Saw the Neville's a few times. Wish it were more. Always excellent. Aaron singing falsetto is amazing. He walked by our seats going to the stage at a show 30 years ago and he is a large guy that makes the falsetto all the more amazing. His cover of John Hiatt's "Looks Like Rain" is incredible (as is the original).

The only time I saw ZZ Top live was at a Rockets game (they have season tickets courtside) where they did air guitar of their own songs at halftime. Many years ago, when we all were young.

---edit---
...and I expect my email regarding the mug before I wake up...

[Limerick Savant]

Tell It Like It Is

R&B, Texas blues, rock or pop
Will the musical mix ever stop?
So it seems on the level
To suggest Aaron Neville
Could cover the band ZZ Top

Saw the Neville's a few times. Wish it were more. Always excellent. Aaron singing falsetto is amazing. He walked by our seats going to the stage at a show 30 years ago and he is a large guy that makes the falsetto all the more amazing. His cover of John Hiatt's "Looks Like Rain" is incredible (as is the original).

The only time I saw ZZ Top live was at a Rockets game (they have season tickets courtside) where they did air guitar of their own songs at halftime. Many years ago, when we all were young.

---edit---
...and I expect my email regarding the mug before I wake up...

I hadn’t heard Neville’s version before so I just called it up on Apple Music. Wow! Of course John Hiatt is also an incredible songwriter. BTW, the title is Feels Like Rain. Makes me want to be sure to get over to NOLA for Jazzfest again. It’s been a couple.

It should come as no surprise that the Savant’s favorite Aaron Neville song is Everybody Plays the Fool.

[Joe Ross]

[escapeartist]

"bigrams" is a new one for me.

Alternatively, "the sets of two letters above the six ZZ's in the grid..."

Probably gonna be a grid answer this week in the daily WSJ crossword, right?

* Shakes fist at the WSJ Thursday Crossword *

[KayW]

"bigrams" is a new one for me.

For me as well, at least in the context used in this puzzle.

[whimsy]

To go with my latest avatar, here's a video of a monarch emerging from its chrysalis:

I love this place!

We got the flora last week with @KayW's cactus blooming, and now the fauna with @CPJohnson's butterfly emerging!

[Dplass]

"bigrams" is a new one for me.

Alternatively, "the sets of two letters above the six ZZ's in the grid..."

Probably gonna be a grid answer this week in the daily WSJ crossword, right?

* Shakes fist at the WSJ Thursday Crossword *

Bigrams and trigrams are common verbiage in cryptography books for decryption cribs. "The Code Book" talks a lot about them.

[SewYoung]

"bigrams" is a new one for me.

Alternatively, "the sets of two letters above the six ZZ's in the grid..."

Probably gonna be a grid answer this week in the daily WSJ crossword, right?

* Shakes fist at the WSJ Thursday Crossword *

Bigrams and trigrams are common verbiage in cryptography books for decryption cribs. "The Code Book" talks a lot about them.

Had to go with the term "bigram" due to the limited space in which to fit the explanation.

[Tom Shea]

...

I hadn’t heard Neville’s version before so I just called it up on Apple Music. Wow! Of course John Hiatt is also an incredible songwriter. BTW, the title is Feels Like Rain. Makes me want to be sure to get over to NOLA for Jazzfest again. It’s been a couple.

It should come as no surprise that the Savant’s favorite Aaron Neville song is Everybody Plays the Fool.

I could blaim spel czech, but I'll just pick old age.

John Hiatt is one of those guys, that despite being pretty famous is very underappreciated. Also, Ry Cooder (and I have to stop the list, because I could do this all afternoon).

If you go to the Jazz Fest, definitely look to see Keb' Mo. Not from NOLA but sure sounds like it. An incredible performer.

[MikeMillerwsj]

Happy fourth! As noted, this one seemed to be on the easier side, and the result was one of our biggest turnouts in the history of this contest! (I am as always relying on our superfan record-keepers to report the ranking.).

We had 3,556 entries, with fully 90% correct. Some guesses for other ZZ performers such as LIZZO (15) and OZZIE OSBOURNE (12), plus 14 for ZZ TOP themselves and one for a tribute band called Eliminator.

Congrats to this week's winner: Robert Wemischner of Los Angeles!

[BarbaraK]

The 6th highest number of total submissions and the 5th highest number of correct submissions.

[MikeMillerwsj]

Fantastic, thank you as always Barbara!

[MaineMarge]

Since we’re zeroing in on the letter Z this week, I’ll play.
Yellow Bartzella Intersectional/Itoh peony with friends today

Japanese Mr. Itoh was the first to successfully cross a regular peony with a tree peony, so he gets the credit for this difficult feat.
This gorgeous big yellow gal has won every award the peony world has to offer.
This is the best nursery to buy peonies IMO
https://swensongardens.com/Home/Intersectional

[DrTom]

Since we’re zeroing in on the letter Z this week, I’ll play.
Yellow Bartzella Intersectional/Itoh peony with friends today
4A95BB2D-8FD7-4FD8-B135-E65DBBA8629B.jpeg
Japanese Mr. Itoh was the first to successfully cross a regular peony with a tree peony, so he gets the credit for this difficult feat.
This gorgeous big yellow gal has won every award the peony world has to offer.
This is the best nursery to buy peonies IMO
https://swensongardens.com/Home/Intersectional

I once crossed a tree peony...it never forgave me!

[Joepickett]

Happy fourth! As noted, this one seemed to be on the easier side, and the result was one of our biggest turnouts in the history of this contest! (I am as always relying on our superfan record-keepers to report the ranking.).

We had 3,556 entries, with fully 90% correct. Some guesses for other ZZ performers such as LIZZO (15) and OZZIE OSBOURNE (12), plus 14 for ZZ TOP themselves and one for a tribute band called Eliminator.

Congrats to this week's winner: Robert Wemischner of Los Angeles!

Ummmm...no