[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead ¤ milky moon ¤ • View topic - Joanna Newsom Song Tournament
I thought this was a great idea for a bit of fun, proposed by Lawns Of Dawns [and loving the Nico nod, btw] and seconded by Jesse, in the thread “Favourite JN Songs”. So good, in fact, that – in the absence of any movement elsewhere, I decided to launch it myself. So apologies firstly to Lawns and Jesse .. please don’t think of it as stealing your idea, just as implementing your proposal. And apologies to anyone who detests the idea of ‘competition’ between such things – perhaps you can just just see it as a new way of stimulating conversation and interest.
Picking up on the idea of ‘seeding numbers’, I did a quick scan of the above mentioned thread, plus “That One Song” – also in “Right On” in the new forum. I wanted to revisit the old forum too, but it seems to have disappeared now . Anyway, I have used this rough-and-ready technique to rank the songs in forum users’ opinions, and therefore to prevent the more popular ones from being drawn together too early.
For the First Round, I have divided the songs into thirty-two Groups – each consisting of either two or three songs – and invite Forum users to select ONE song from each group to progress to the next round. I’ve included pretty much every Joanna Newsom song or collaboration I could think of, a few of which I’ve never heard myself, but some of you may have, and in this way it is as comprehensive as possible. If I have forgotten any, please bring them to my attention, and these will be slotted into the next stage of the tournament. Notwithstanding the ‘seedings’, the choice of whether a group has 2 or 3 songs is entirely random (except for the slight complication concerning ‘{I’m} Already Gone’ mentioned below, leading to a group with 2½ songs!) Also, the ordering of the groups is random, and so is the order in which the songs are listed within each group, where they are shown separated by a slash ‘ / ’.
Each song is only listed once, even though there are many different versions of several circulating. Please interpret this as meaning your personal favourite version of each song, whether it’s the MEM / Ys / HOOM album version, the “B”-side from Sprout And The Bean, an Ys Street Band EP version, the version on one of the early EPs, or one of the many live versions that can be found on JNTV, YouTube, or elsewhere. In a few cases, there is no choice but to fall back on a live version: I am thinking here of ‘Angel’, ‘Little Wing’, ‘Man’s Road’, ‘Prepared Harp Improv.’, and ‘Ring The Living Bell’.
Where there may be some confusion about a song, I have added a code in square brackets: [GS] = song by Golden Shoulders [KB] = song by Kevin Barker [MB] = song by Moore Brothers [NC] = song by Nervous Cop [P] = song by The Pleased [RL] = song by RF (=Ryan Francesconi) & Lili De La Mora [S] = song by Smog [V] = song by Vetiver [VB] = song by Vashti Bunyan.
I am unsure whether The Pleased’s ‘I’m Already Gone’ and ‘Already Gone’ (from “One Piece From The Middle” [2002] and “Don’t Make Things” [2003] respectively) are the same song or not, so I have included both but put them in the same group: any additional information would be welcome.
The only things I have deliberately excluded are: (1) mash-ups and songs where Joanna is sampled, such as ‘Right On’ by The Roots, and the recent ‘Milk Eyed Gangsta’ piece; (2) “working titles” such as ‘Barbara’, ‘Be A Woman’, ‘Heart To Task’, ‘Opening Suite’, and ‘Sweet Esame’ that were drafts of songs subsequently released as official songs with proper titles: if one of these versions is your favourite, please consider it as under the final title ... but by all means explain yourself in the posting; and (3) cover versions that don’t feature JN in some capacity or other. If someone who knows more about such things than me would care to set up a similar tournament for these, please feel free, and then perhaps we can conclude with some form of “play off” between the respective winners!
In a couple of weeks’ time, I will review all the votes, and post the draw for the Second Round, which will be a straight knock-out between pairs of songs. I intend, however, to maintain an element of ‘seeding’ for a few more rounds yet – but your comments and advice would be welcome on this. Any seeding will be based on the previously expressed opinions of MilkyMoon users, rather than on my own preferences.
Please can I request that you vote only once per round. If you change your mind, make it clear in the text what you have changed, so that it’s easier for me to collate the responses.
In order to vote, please put a posting in this thread, listing each Group Number and the song selected from that group. The First Round will probably be largely a formality – to see off all the obscurities – but please vote anyway, and also use the opportunity to say if you think this is a horrid idea ... if that’s the majority view, I’ll discontinue it!
The First Round Draw will be posted in a few moments.
Last edited by Steve on 03 Mar 2011, 17:47, edited 1 time in total.
Group 1: - 'En Gallop' / Mountain [GS] Group 2: - Autumn / R.U. In [P] / Three Little Babes Group 3: - Occident / The Book Of Right-On / Pow Strikes Pow Implosion [NC] Group 4: - Let Go [P] / Sadie / Rock Bottom Riser [S] Group 5: - Peach, Plum, Pear / Wake Up Instead [P] / Cassiopeia Group 6: - Get Wolf Boy And Get In Context [NC] / Orange Peter [P] / Emily Group 7: - Sprout And The Bean / Man's Road / Hawk Feeds you To Feed Itself [NC] Group 8: - If I Were [VB] / You And Me, Bess / Flying A Kite Group 9: - Erin / No Style [P] / Jackrabbits Group 10: - This Side of The Blue / Lifetime [RL] / Orderly Manor [P] Group 11: - Kingfisher / Exit [P] / Little Picture Of You [KB] Group 12: - On A Good Day / We Are Doctor [P] / Ring The Living Bell Group 13: - Sawdust & Diamonds / I The Province [P] Group 14: - No Provenance / Bridges And Balloons Group 15: - Colleen / Do You Know Who You Are [GS] / Nonrum Nonproblem [NC] Group 16: - Cosmia / Secret [P] / Eleven Continents [RL] Group 17: - Colorchains Of Inner Space [NC] / Angel / Easy Group 18: - Does Not Suffice / Ill Pearls [NC] / The Fray Group 19: - Intermission [P] / Good Intentions Paving Co. / Amerilie [V] Group 20: - Yarn And Glue / Esme Group 21: - About Me [P] / Only Skin / Nuflesh, Old Thirst [NC] Group 22: - I'm Already Gone [P] / Already Gone [P] / Swansea Group 23: - Ribbon Bows / The Honey, The Power, The Light [GS] / Soft As Chalk Group 24: - Franks Vs Frank [NC] / Go Long Group 25: - Inflammatory Writ / Prepared Harp Improv. / If You Can Afford It [P] Group 26: - In California / Rice Precipitation [NC] Group 27: - Setting The Bushes On Fire [NC] / Have One On Me / Another Disaster [P] Group 28: - Monkey & Bear / Oh Canada [P] / Against The Sky [VB] Group 29: - Never Come Home [P] / Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie / Good Heart, Money And Rain [MB] Group 30: - Through The Trees [RL] / Don't Make Things [P] / Baby Birch Group 31: - Little Wing / What we have known / Swift Nude [P] Group 32: - Ca' The Yowes To The Knowes / One Horse [P] / '81
Last edited by Steve on 16 Oct 2015, 21:51, edited 4 times in total.
Owing to brainfade, I forgot to include this note at the top of my second posting:
Draw for First Round
Please copy & paste, deleting the songs you don’t wish to vote for, but leaving the group number in place for my ease. If there are any groups where you don’t wish to express a preference for any of the songs, please delete all titles. If – in a 3-song group – you can’t decide between two, please leave both of your preferred songs, but I will only use these votes in the event of a tie. Please only vote once per round: there’s no rush on this, so don’t expect the Second Round Draw to be posted for at least 2 – 3 weeks.
OOOOOOOOOOH FUN! I would like to have seen Be a Woman and Only Skin Piano Version, because they are very different from the finished product. p.s., my notes are in marroon. Group 1: - 'En Gallop' / Group 2: - Three Little Babes Group 3: - The Book Of Right-On Group 4: - Rock Bottom Riser [S] Group 5: - Cassiopeia Group 6: - Emily Group 7: - Man's Road Group 8: - Flying A Kite Group 9: - Erin This one is too hard! I wish I could choose Jackrabbits, too, but Erin is my all time favourite Joanna song. Group 10: - This Side of The Blue Group 11: - Kingfisher Group 12: - Ring The Living Bell Group 13: - Sawdust & Diamonds Group 14: - Bridges And Balloons Group 15: - Colleen Group 16: - Cosmia Group 17: - Easy Group 18: - The Fray Group 19: - Good Intentions Paving Co. Group 20: - Esme Oh too hard! Group 21: -Only Skin Group 22: - Swansea Group 23: - Ribbon Bows Again with the hard choices! Group 24: - Go Long Group 25: - Inflammatory Writ Group 26: - In California Group 27: - Have One On Me Group 28: - Monkey & Bear Group 29: -Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie Group 30: - Baby Birch Group 31: - Little Wing both are so good, but I think her little wing is perfect! Group 32: - Ca' The Yowes To The Knowes
Of course, I have one aim, the grotesque. If I am not grotesque I am nothing.
Ursulabear - Mycket Bra!! Thank you for being the first: now at least one person has taken part, I feel my efforts weren't in vain. Some interesting choices too. It's probably best that I don't publish my own votes (or at least, not until I am closing up each round) ... even though I've decided them all already, except for Group 5 and perhaps Group 32. I'm going to do a special 'listening' to make my choice.
Group 1: - 'En Gallop' Group 2: - Three Little Babes Group 3: - The Book Of Right-On Group 4: - Sadie Group 5: - Peach, Plum, Pear - The song that got me into her. Group 6: - Emily Group 7: - Sprout And The Bean Group 8: - You And Me, Bess Group 9: - Jackrabbits - Though more Love You Again, I guess, since the live recordings are the best. Group 10: - This Side of The Blue Group 11: - Kingfisher Group 12: - On A Good Day Group 13: - Sawdust & Diamonds Group 14: - No Provenance Group 15: - Colleen Group 16: - Cosmia Group 17: - Easy Group 18: - Does Not Suffice Group 19: - Good Intentions Paving Co. Group 20: - Esme Group 21: - Only Skin Group 22: - Swansea Group 23: - Soft As Chalk Group 24: - Go Long Group 25: - Inflammatory Writ Group 26: - In California Group 27: - Have One On Me Group 28: - Monkey & Bear Group 29: - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie Group 30: - Baby Birch Group 31: - What we have known Group 32: - Ca' The Yowes To The Knowes
Group 1: - 'En Gallop' Group 2: - Autumn Group 3: - Occident Group 4: - Sadie Group 5: - Cassiopeia Group 6: - Emily Group 7: - Sprout And The Bean Group 8: - You And Me, Bess Group 9: - Jackrabbits Group 10: - This Side of The Blue Group 11: - Kingfisher Group 12: - On A Good Day Group 13: - Sawdust & Diamonds Group 14: - Bridges And Balloons Group 15: - Colleen Group 16: - Cosmia Group 17: - Easy Group 18: - Does Not Suffice Group 19: - Good Intentions Paving Co. Group 20: - Esme Group 21: - Only Skin Group 22: - Swansea Group 23: - Soft As Chalk Group 24: - Go Long Group 25: - Inflammatory Writ Group 26: - In California Group 27: - Have One On Me Group 28: - Monkey & Bear Group 29: - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie Group 30: - Baby Birch Group 31: - What we have known Group 32: - Ca' The Yowes To The Knowes
Very comprehensive competition Steve, well implemented. I didn't find any too hard except the last one. Bring on round 2
Once again, thank you Weirdelves for your kind words and for taking part. It's very gratifying that already three of the MilkyMoon regulars have cast their votes. One or two of the groups are already shaping up to be quite interesting, and I'll have fun posting the results and the next stage in a couple of weeks.
Ursulabear's opening comments about the early versions of Only Skin are interesting, too. I'm not 100% sure what to do about that conundrum, but it's probably best to stick with my original line that they are included within the final version of Only Skin. I hope that anyone who favours those versions will vote according to their favourite version when weighing up that song against its opponents in this and in future rounds.
Group 1: - 'En Gallop' Group 2: - Autumn Group 3: - The Book Of Right-On Group 4: - Sadie Group 5: - Peach, Plum, Pear Group 6: - Emily Group 7: - Sprout And The Bean Group 8: - Flying A Kite Group 9: - Erin / Jackrabbits Group 10: - This Side of The Blue Group 11: - Kingfisher Group 12: - On A Good Day Group 13: - Sawdust & Diamonds Group 14: - Bridges And Balloons Group 15: - Colleen Group 16: - Cosmia Group 17: - Easy Group 18: - Does Not Suffice Group 19: - Good Intentions Paving Co. Group 20: - Esme Group 21: - Only Skin Group 22: - Swansea Group 23: - Soft As Chalk Group 24: - Go Long Group 25: - Inflammatory Writ Group 26: - In California Group 27: - Have One On Me Group 28: - Monkey & Bear Group 29: - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie Group 30: - Baby Birch Group 31: - What we have known Group 32: - '81
Group 1: - 'En Gallop' Group 2: - Autumn Group 3: - The Book Of Right-On Group 4: - Sadie Group 5: - Cassiopeia Group 6: - Emily Group 7: - Sprout And The Bean Group 8: - Flying A Kite Group 9: - Erin Group 10: - This Side of The Blue Group 11: - Kingfisher Group 12: - On A Good Day /TIE/ We Are Doctor Group 13: - Sawdust & Diamonds Group 14: - Bridges And Balloons Group 15: - Colleen Group 16: - Cosmia Group 17: - Easy Group 18: - Does Not Suffice Group 19: - Good Intentions Paving Co. Group 20: - Yarn And Glue Group 21: - Only Skin Group 22: - Swansea Group 23: - Soft As Chalk Group 24: - Go Long Group 25: - Inflammatory Writ Group 26: - In California Group 27: - Have One On Me Group 28: - Monkey & Bear Group 29: - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie Group 30: - Baby Birch Group 31: - Little Wing Group 32: - '81
Group 1: - 'En Gallop' Group 2: - Autumn Group 3: - The Book Of Right-On Group 4: - Sadie Group 5: - Cassiopeia Group 6: - Emily Group 7: - Sprout And The Bean Group 8: - You And Me, Bess Group 9: - Jackrabbits Group 10: - This Side of The Blue Group 11: - Kingfisher Group 12: - On A Good Day Group 13: - Sawdust & Diamonds Group 14: - Bridges And Balloons Group 15: - Colleen Group 16: - Cosmia Group 17: - Easy Group 18: - Does Not Suffice Group 19: - Good Intentions Paving Co. Group 20: - Yarn And Glue Group 21: - Only Skin Group 22: - Swansea Group 23: - Soft As Chalk Group 24: - Go Long Group 25: - Prepared Harp Improv. Group 26: - In California Group 27: - Have One On Me Group 28: - Monkey & Bear Group 29: - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie Group 30: - Baby Birch Group 31: - What we have known Group 32: - '81
Group 1: - 'En Gallop' Group 2: - Autumn Group 3: - Occident Group 4: - Sadie Group 5: - Peach, Plum, Pear (I chose this for the version she plays now, not for either of the recorded versions) Group 6: - Emily Group 7: - Sprout And The Bean Group 8: - You And Me, Bess Group 9: - Jackrabbits Group 10: - This Side of The Blue Group 11: - Kingfisher Group 12: - On A Good Day Group 13: - Sawdust & Diamonds Group 14: - No Provenance Group 15: - Colleen Group 16: - Cosmia Group 17: - Easy Group 18: - Does Not Suffice Group 19: - Good Intentions Paving Co. Group 20: - Esme Group 21: - Only Skin Group 22: - Swansea Group 23: - Soft As Chalk Group 24: - Go Long Group 25: - Inflammatory Writ Group 26: - In California Group 27: - Have One On Me Group 28: - Monkey & Bear Group 29: - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie Group 30: - Baby Birch Group 31: - What we have known Group 32: - Ca' The Yowes To The Knowes
Group 1: - 'En Gallop' Group 2: - Autumn Group 3: - The Book Of Right-On Group 4: - Sadie Group 5: - Peach, Plum, Pear Group 6: - Emily Group 7: - Sprout And The Bean Group 8: - Flying A Kite Group 9: - Jackrabbits Group 10: - This Side of The Blue Group 11: - Kingfisher Group 12: - On A Good Day Group 13: - Sawdust & Diamonds Group 14: - No Provenance Group 15: - Colleen Group 16: - Cosmia Group 17: - Easy Group 18: - The Fray (Hard choice! Does Not Suffice is clearly the more mature song and has indeed moved me more, but I love my bouncy harp ditty too much.) Group 19: - Good Intentions Paving Co Group 20: - Esme Group 21: - Only Skin Group 22: - Swansea Group 23: - Soft As Chalk Group 24: - Go Long Group 25: - Inflammatory Writ Group 26: - In California Group 27: - Have One On Me Group 28: - Monkey & Bear Group 29: - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie Group 30: - Baby Birch Group 31: - What we have known Group 32: - '81 (I love Ca the Yowes, though...)
Group 1: - 'En Gallop' Group 2: - Three Little Babes Group 3: - The Book Of Right-On Group 4: - Sadie Group 5: - Peach, Plum, Pear Group 6: - Emily Group 7: - Sprout And The Bean Group 8: - Flying A Kite Group 9: - Jackrabbits Group 10: - This Side of The Blue Group 11: - Kingfisher Group 12: - On A Good Day Group 13: - Sawdust & Diamonds Group 14: - Bridges And Balloons Group 15: - Colleen Group 16: - Cosmia Group 17: - Easy Group 18: - The Fray Group 19: - Good Intentions Paving Co. Group 20: - Esme Group 21: - Only Skin Group 22: - Swansea Group 23: - Soft As Chalk Group 24: - Go Long Group 25: - Inflammatory Writ Group 26: - In California Group 27: - Have One On Me Group 28: - Monkey & Bear Group 29: - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie Group 30: - Baby Birch Group 31: - What we have known Group 32: - Ca' The Yowes To The Knowes
Group 1: - 'En Gallop' Group 2: - Autumn Group 3: - The Book Of Right-On Group 4: - Rock Bottom Riser [S] Group 5: - Cassiopeia Group 6: - Emily Group 7: - Sprout And The Bean Group 8: - You And Me, Bess Group 9: - Jackrabbits Group 10: - This Side of The Blue Group 11: - Kingfisher Group 12: - On A Good Day Group 13: - Sawdust & Diamonds Group 14: - Bridges And Balloons Group 15: - Colleen Group 16: - Cosmia Group 17: - Easy Group 18: - Does Not Suffice Group 19: - Good Intentions Paving Co. Group 20: - Yarn And Glue Group 21: - Only Skin Group 22: - Swansea Group 23: - Soft As Chalk Group 24: - Go Long Group 25: - Inflammatory Writ Group 26: - In California Group 27: - Have One On Me Group 28: - Monkey & Bear Group 29: - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie Group 30: - Baby Birch Group 31: - What we have known Group 32: - '81
It's too late to be grateful It's too late to be late again It's too late to be hateful
Group 1 - 'En Gallop' Group 2 - Three Little Babes Group 3 - The Book of Right-On Group 4 - Sadie Group 5 - Peach Plum Pear Group 6 - Emily Group 7: - Sprout And The Bean Group 8: - If I Were [VB] Group 9: - Erin Group 10: - This Side of The Blue Group 11: - Kingfisher Group 12: - On A Good Day Group 13: - Sawdust & Diamonds Group 14: - Bridges And Balloons Group 15: - Colleen Group 16: - Cosmia Group 17: - Easy Group 18: - Does Not Suffice Group 19: - Good Intentions Paving Co. Group 20: - Esme Group 21: - Only Skin Group 22: - Swansea Group 23: - Ribbon Bows Group 24: - Go Long Group 25: - Inflammatory Writ Group 26: - In California Group 27: - Have One On Me Group 28: - Monkey & Bear Group 29: - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie Group 30: - Baby Birch Group 31: - What we have known Group 32: - '81
I am once again gratified that we have now had 11 people voting (it'll be 12 with me) in the first 24 hours of this being posted. Thank you to the latest contributors: u-som, Wanbli, Gerritsón, beverley, Ceb, elseanio, claire, and the originator of the plan, LawnOfDawns.
Perhaps 3 weeks is too long to wait for the next round, but I will keep an eye on the flow of votes and step in with the next round when it seems to be drying up ... but I won't go back on my first idea that Round One will be open for at least 2 weeks.
One thing that I do slightly regret is not allowing for a "repechage" round. Most of the groups are quite clear-cut, but there are one or two songs that are putting up a good showing and yet will be eliminated at the first hurdle. Had I gone for, say, 30 groups instead of 32, it would have allowed for a few defeated songs to have a second chance.
There remain a couple of options, however, and I'd be interested to read what other people think about them:
1. Run the tournament in a "double elimination" format. There would be no point in having a complete 'losers' bracket' as many groups look like being the expected "no contests", but it would allow the songs more narrowly defeated to continue to figure. There's a good Wikipedia explanation of double-elimination for those of you not familiar with it: . If you don't ant to know the details, be assured that the winner will still be the winner, but it should allow for songs unluckily eliminated to go a bit further. Either way, you won't need to worry about the details: I'll take care of the complications, and all I'll be asking is for you to make a choice between two or sometimes three songs.
2. Round up the unluckiest of the First Round losers, and add them back into Second Round groups, so that some of them are again triples instead of pairs. I'd seed them appropriately, to make it as fair as possible. This procedure could be repeated in later rounds, too, but I would only grant each song ONE second chance: if it's an unlucky loser twice, it can't continue. Also, in the event of a tie, the decision would always be awarded to the unbeaten song. This is the simplest method to implement and understand, and would be the one I'd favour.
3. Proceed exactly as planned, FA Cup style. Once you lose, you're out. Simpler still ... but too harsh, perhaps?
Comments, please, and if you haven't voted, please do (especially Jesse - an early supporter of LawnsOfDawns' idea).