William's Song a Day Blog

Song 499 ( James Gang - Funk 49 )

2009-01-07T22:47:00.000-08:00

It is song 499 today and I thought that this one would be a good one for the pick. This song is a classic rock standard; a nice guitar heavy track with an excellent rhythm section, similar in sound and feel to most power trios of the time.

Here is the studio version.
Here is live performance with Joe Walsh and The Eagles.

870 ( Apocalyptica feat. Till Lindemann - Helden )

2010-01-07T09:12:00.000-08:00

870 ( Apocalyptica feat. Till Lindemann - Helden )

Ever since I first heard Apocalyptica, well over 10 years ago, I have been a big fan of theirs. This is Apocalyptica's cover of the David Bowie song "Heroes" sung in German featuring Till Lindemann on vocals. Their interpretation of this song is extremely dynamic across the board, there is so much to listen to; you can almost lost in it. Again, Till's vocal work is amazing as ever, he is an excellent vocalist for covering a Bowie tune with both having low registered vocals. Now if I could just hear them perform a duet that would be awesome. I have heard a version with Bowie singing the song in German, maybe a mashup is in order...

Here is a fan video with the studio version.

My song pick a year ago today: James Gang - Funk 49
My song pick two years ago today: Midnight Oil - Blue Sky Mine

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.

869 ( Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show - Cover of the Rolling Stone )

2010-01-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

869 ( Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show - Cover of the Rolling Stone )

Had a few songs in mind this morning, but when I heard this one again on the radio I knew I had my pick. A fantastic irreverent jab at pop culture and egotistical musicians; truly an awesome piece of art.

Here is the studio version.
Here is a live performance.

My song pick a year ago today: Seals & Crofts - Summer Breeze
My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - Crazed Institution

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.

Song 498 ( Seals & Crofts - Summer Breeze )

2009-01-06T22:48:00.000-08:00

I ran into this song yesterday on the radio while dodging commercials. Surprisingly, for a soft rock song the song is quite musical and listenable to a musician's ear. The song's arrangements and lyrics are quite a nice fit.

Here is a vinyl record recording.
Here is a live performance.

Song 497 ( Traffic - John Barleycorn )

2009-01-05T22:49:00.000-08:00

This is quite an odd song if you look at it a certain way. It is a traditional English song concerning the process agriculture with grains to make things such as bread and alcohol. However, it is written as such to make the listener believe that the grain is a person getting tortured to death in a horrific manner. I have always loved Traffic's version of the song, they did song a great service. The vocal harmonies are just amazing and tight, they mix excellently with the progressive acoustic sound of the song.

Here is the studio version.
Here is a live performance.

868 ( Johnny Cash - One Piece At A Time )

2010-01-05T09:51:00.000-08:00

868 ( Johnny Cash - One Piece At A Time )

I felt like picking something light-hearted today and this song about building a "Psychobilly Cadillac" from "liberated" auto parts seemed like perfect fit. This is one of those story driven songs that you cannot quit listening to once it has started.

Here is the studio version.
Here is a television performance from '76.
Here is a live performance.

My song pick a year ago today: Traffic - John Barleycorn
My song pick two years ago today: The Moody Blues - Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?), Time to Get Away.

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.

863 ( Rammstein - Reise, Reise )

2009-12-31T10:31:00.000-08:00

863 ( Rammstein - Reise, Reise )

In a quandary as to which song I should choose today, but I decided that this Rammstein track would be rather nice for my mood. It is probably my favourite songs off of the album of its namesake; I love the big, brooding sound in this song along with Till's awesome vocals.

Something odd that I found out a bit ago about this song, or may I say certain pressings of the album is that there is an Easter Egg of sorts included. On the version that I have when you start this song there is about 35 seconds of muffled screams followed by a klaxon and a computerized voice repeatedly saying "pull up." For quite a while when I started the song I did not have my player up loud enough to even hear it and thought that it was a long lead-in on the disc. After hearing it I did some researched and I found out that it is actually a voice recording from the last few seconds before the Japan Airlines Flight 123 crash; this is the flight in which Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto, of "Sukiyaki" fame was killed.
It is rather macabre and disturbing, but that is their usual shtick. This song, "Reise, Reise" subject matter wise has nothing to do with this kind of event, however another track on the album: "Dalai Lama" does; combined with the album's artwork depicting a "black box" you can see what they were getting at.

Here is the studio version.
Here is a live performance from Völkerball.

My song pick a year ago today: Billy Joel - New York State Of Mind
My song pick two years ago today: Manfred Mann - The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.

Song 496 ( The Kinks - Do It Again )

2009-01-04T22:50:00.000-08:00

I just noticed something funny, I chose "Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan two days ago and "Mother's Little Helper" by the Rolling Stones yesterday; I did not realize that until now, quite a funny coincidence.
Anyway, on to my song choice today. This one started running through my mind this evening as I was pondering my song choice. I really like most of The Kinks' material and this song is not an exception. I figured that it would be an excellent choice because of the new week and school starting in a week; getting back to do it all over again.

Here is the studio version.
Here is the music video.

867 ( Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Fanfare for the Common Man )

2010-01-04T09:27:00.000-08:00

867 ( Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Fanfare for the Common Man )

I have been thinking about choosing this song for quite a while now. This is Emerson, Lake & Palmer's arrangement of "Fanfare for the Common Man" originally composed in the early 1940's by Aaron Copland. If you have been around for the last 70 years you have probably heard a version of this song or parts of it in one way or another.
This version utilizes a lot of Keith Emerson's audacious keyboard work; it is simply amazing to think that three musicians can make such a large orchestral sound.

Here is a music video with a shortened version.
Here is the full 9+ minute version, it starts about 1:00 into the video.

My song pick a year ago today: The Kinks - Do It Again
My song pick two years ago today: The Guess Who - Hang On To Your Life

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.

Song 495 ( The Rolling Stones - Mother’s Little Helper )

2009-01-03T22:51:00.000-08:00

While working today this infamous song concerning drug abuse by housewives was running through my mind; it is quite catchy and does get stuck in your mind quite easily. I believe that the drug that they are referring to in the song is the anxiolytic drug Miltown or Meprobamate. The common "street" name for this drug, as I learned while taking my many substance abuse classes, was/is "Mother's Little Helper.
Anyway, it is a fantastic song to end my Saturday.

Here is the studio version.

866 ( Nightwish - While Your Lips Are Still Red )

2010-01-03T14:07:00.000-08:00

866 ( Nightwish - While Your Lips Are Still Red )

I did not really have a song in mind for my pick this morning, but this song started running through my mind and seems perfect for this day. Anyway, from what I understand this song is actually not an official Nightwish song, but it was included on Nightwish's "Amaranth" single as well as their "Made in Hong Kong (And Various Other Places)" CD/DVD.
It was composed by Marco Hietala and Tuomas Holopainen for the Finnish film: "Lieksa!" and was performed by Nightwish members: Marco Hietala (bass, vocal), Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards, backing vocals), and Jukka Nevalainen (drums, percussion).
It is quite a beautiful song that highlights the talents of these three excellent musicians.

Here is the music video.
Here is a live performance.

My song pick a year ago today: The Rolling Stones - Mother's Little Helper
My song pick two years ago today: Billy Joel - Two Thousand Years

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.

857 ( Ian Anderson - Birthday Card At Christmas )

2009-12-25T21:42:00.000-08:00

857 ( Ian Anderson - Birthday Card At Christmas )

Making a quick pick this Christmas evening. We made a Christmas music playlist for the iPod and this is one of the songs that played whilst on the road. It was released on "The Jethro Tull Christmas Album" and the Ian Anderson solo album "Rupi's Dance;" both released about a month apart from each other.
Anyway, Merry Christmas to all!

Here is the studio version.

My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Another Christmas Song
My song pick two years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness)

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.

Song 494 ( Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone )

2009-01-02T22:53:00.000-08:00

I had no reason to choose this song other than I like it. It is nice to see a band come together to make a great song, I especially love Al Kooper's contribution on the organ in this song. I have always loved the deep and introspective lyrics that come from Dylan's pen. From what I understand this one was originally a book that he wrote and later made it into a song.

Here is the studio version.
Here is a classic live performance.

865 ( Banchee - John Doe )

2010-01-02T12:47:00.000-08:00

865 ( Banchee - John Doe )

I finally got around to picking this great Psychedelic Hard Rock tune from the band Banchee. Since discovering their music a while ago this song in particular has become a favourite of mine. There is so much that I love about this track all across the board. I like how the wailing lead guitar almost plays a duet with the vocals at times in this very dynamic song.

Here is the studio version.

My song pick a year ago today: Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone
My song pick two years ago today: Queen - Don't Stop Me Now

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.

864 ( ABBA - Happy New Year )

2010-01-01T09:47:00.000-08:00

864 ( ABBA - Happy New Year )

Happy New Year and New Decade! ABBA's "Happy New Year" seemed obviously perfect for the occasion. I almost picked it on New Year's Day for the last two years, but it usually slipped my mind. This song song was also chosen by Woordenaar this time last year on his song a day blog, I really hope that he starts posting again along with the others that have let their song-a-day blogs go idle.
I cannot count the amount of times I have heard this song. I remember growing up with a lot of ABBA's music around me; my dad is a big fan of their music and played all of their albums quite a bit. Even though this is really a seasonal tune it is still a nice song to hear year around as well.
Anyway, the album "Super Trouper" was recorded in early 1980 and this song is about the turning of a decade from the 70's to the 80's as well as a new year, is quite sentimental and introspective in the lyrics. The third verse seems especially appropriate, being that it is a new decade as well:
"Seems to me now
that the dreams we had before
are all dead, nothing more
than confetti on the floor
It's the end of a decade
In another ten years time
Who can say what we'll find
what lies waiting down the line
in the end of eighty-nine"

Dang, 1989 was over 20 years ago...

Here is the studio version with lyrics.
Here is a television performance.

My song pick a year ago today: U2 - New Year's Day
My song pick two years ago today: Kiss - Shout It Out Loud

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.

Song 493 ( U2 - New Year’s Day )

2009-01-01T22:54:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Just got done watching the ball drop on Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve and figured that I would pick a song before I headed off to bed. Very interesting festivities tonight on television, no real good acts performed that caught my attention tonight. However, one of the better highlights was Robbie Knievel making a jump on the Las Vegas Strip, which was pretty awesome.
Anyway, I could not let this day go without choosing this aptly named song for the occasion. I have always liked this one quite a bit, although not my favorite song by U2. The rhythm is the main draw for me, I love the smooth yet melancholy sound; it is just a great track.

Here is the music video.
Here is a music video with a remix version.
Here is a performance from Top of the Pops.

Song 492 ( Billy Joel - A New York State of Mind )

2008-12-31T22:55:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about choosing a Billy Joel song for some time, this one fit for today because of the usual watching of festivities going on in Times Square in New York this evening. I know it does not even compare to what Billy Joel is singing about, but for some of us it is as close to "A New York State of Mind" as we will ever get; I might have to visit there one of these days...
Anyway, I can say with certainty that I will not miss this year's passing, it has absolutely sucked! I am hoping that this new year will be better than the last one, it will be interesting to see where I am in a year from now.

Here is a fan video with the studio version.
Here is a live performance, there are quite a few more available on YouTube as well.

Song 491 ( Miles Davis - Walkin’ )

2008-12-30T22:57:00.000-08:00

I decided that I needed some Miles Davis on my list and this is one of my more favorite song that I have heard from him and his band, so I will choose it. This is more of a Hard Bop Jazz song, which is a genre of Jazz that is as much fun for me to listen to as classical; there is a lot of musical virtuosity to be had in this genre.

Here is part one of the studio version.
Here is part two.
Here is a live performance.

862 ( Genesis - Turn It On Again )

2009-12-30T09:33:00.000-08:00

862 ( Genesis - Turn It On Again )

I had another song in mind for today, however last night I heard this song and I realized that I hadn't chosen a song from Genesis in quite some time. I have always liked this song about television addiction quite a bit; it moves along quite nicely. I really like how often they change the time signature in this one and yet it is not distracting when it does.

Here is the studio version.
Here is an excellent live performance.

My song pick a year ago today: Miles Davis - Walkin'
My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - Cold Wind To Valhalla

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.

Song 490 ( Joni Mitchell - Goodbye Pork Pie Hat )

2008-12-29T22:57:00.000-08:00

This album was the last project that Charles Mingus was part of before succumbing to Lou Gehrig's Disease; the album was titled "Mingus" as a tribute to him. The song is actually a cover/re-recording of the song from his album "Mingus Ah Um" except with lyrics written by Joni Mitchell. On this album Joni Mitchell borrowed members from Weather Report to be the backing band. Jaco Pastorius actually played the bass parts on this album; one legendary bassist playing the parts of another legendary bassist.

Here is the "Shadows and Light" live version on Yahoo Video.

861 ( Steely Dan - Josie )

2009-12-29T09:49:00.000-08:00

861 ( Steely Dan - Josie )

Last night I was playing this one along with a bunch of other Steely Dan music; it seemed like an excellent song for today, so I am adding it. A nice piece of Fusion Jazz with mindblowing musicianship all around.

Here is a fan video with the studio version.
Here is a live performance.

My song pick a year ago today: Joni Mitchell - Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
My song pick two years ago today: Big Country - In A Big Country

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.

Song 489 ( Charles Mingus - Tonight at Noon )

2008-12-28T23:04:00.000-08:00

I have been in a Jazz mood the last little bit and finally decided to add some Mingus to my list today. This song probably would not be for the casual listener and/or someone who is not acquainted with various forms of Jazz, it is eclectic in the way it is arranged. I get the feel from this song of what a three ring circus might be if it was sound instead of visual. Whatever the case, the song is incredible all across the board.

Here is a fan video with the song.

860 ( Gunnar Madsen - Surprise! )

2009-12-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

860 ( Gunnar Madsen - Surprise! )

I found this album which is compilation of music celebrating The Space Race and space exploration a while ago and decided on picking one of my favourite tracks off of it today.
This song is about Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth, which touched off the Space Race; a very cute and entertaining way of imparting history. The music is written in the style of Russian Cossack Music, those who are not familiar with that definition think of the music in the video game Tetris.

Here is a fan video with the song.

My song pick a year ago today: Charles Mingus - Tonight At Noon
My song pick two years ago today: Megadeth - Architecture of Aggression

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.

Song 488 ( Dizzy Gillespie - Salt Peanuts )

2008-12-27T23:05:00.000-08:00

This incredible Be-Bop standard from the musical genius and legend was in need of being added to my list today. The composition is quite fast and technical, (as with most Be-Bop), and really shows off his incredible trumpet playing. The song is from earlier on in the Be-Bop movement and is a fine example of the genre among others.

Here is the studio version.
Here is a classic live performance.
Here is another great live performance.

859 ( Nightwish - Wanderlust )

2009-12-27T21:21:00.000-08:00

859 ( Nightwish - Wanderlust )

I felt like some Symphonic Rock from Nightwish today and this was one of the songs that came on my playlist whilst out and about today. From what I understand, this is one of their songs that was inspired from the fantasy book series Dragonlance.

Here is the studio version.
Here is an excellent live performance of the song.

My song pick a year ago today: Dizzy Gillespie - Salt Peanuts
My song pick two years ago today: Bon Jovi - You Give Love A Bad Name

Here is what Britt has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Niveous has chosen.
Here is what Rabid Garfunkel has chosen.
Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Susana has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Woordenaar has chosen.