William's Song a Day Blog - est. September 2007

From: At Home ; Year: 1969; Genre: Psychedelic Rock I have always been of the opinion that Shocking Blue is one of those bands that, as the late-great comedian  Rodney Dangerfield was so fond of saying: "They Don't Get No Respect." Just a band that you can tell is boiling over with musical talent and ideas that while did get famous, for wotever reason, they never got up to where they should've been. This one is a great example: a great low fidelity piece of bluesy psychedelia with some very experimental sounds, mostly Robby Van Leeuwen's guitar playing and his playing of the sitar, which is quite a difficult instrument to play even at a novice level. Of course, Mariska Veres' vocals and presence on the vocals are one of the best qualities of the band.    Hear Love Buzz on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Curious Ruminant     My song pick 2 years ago today: 3 Doors Down - Loser   My song pick 3 years ago to...

From: Fat Albert Rotunda ; Year: 1969; Genre: Jazz Fusion I haven't the foggiest as to why, but whenever I get the urge to listen to something by Herbie Hancock I immediately gravitate to his Fat Albert Rotunda record. I mean, I love other albums of his just as much or more, but this one just seems to always just "go with mood, vibe, etc." It was just one of those collections of music that seemingly encompassed most sensibilities. I mean, it is extremely technical and if you like complex music, then it'll work for you, or if you like jazz that is more "accessible" or something to just enjoy in the background, it is equally as good in those aspects. You know, I cannot remember hearing anyone say they do not like Herbie Hancock's music.... Anyway, this is obviously the title-track and fits the above description. From wot I understand this record and song were used for the primetime cartoon special:  Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Fat Albert , which, in turn, led...

From: Resist ; Year: 2022; Genre: Alternative Rock Sadly, I found out that one of members of my absolute favourite Aussie band passed away. Drummer/songwriter/and player of many other instruments Robert Hirst succumbed to an ordeal with pancreatic cancer. Can I just state that I hate cancer about as much as someone can hate something; so many that I know and love and look up to have died from it... sigh. That damned disease also took their bassist Bones Hillman about six years ago as well, so yeah.... Anyway, wot caught my most by surprise was that he was 70 years old. I never realized that the members of the band are that old; they've always had a massive amount of energy and passion that easily could pass for performers half their age or younger. Robert Hirst was a founding member and a main songwriter for the band over the years. This is one of the three songs that he received writing credits for on the their latest studio album: Resist . The music is very much in their wheelho...

From: Dog & Butterfly ; Year: 1978; Genre: Folk Rock In my opinion this one of the Wilson sister's best songs they wrote. It reminds me a lot of Joni Mitchell from around the same era; whilst the music is more rock oriented and less jazzy just the way they weave the symbolism of dealing with personal struggles likened to the dog relentlessly trying to catch what is out of reach. It is very similar in the way Joni Mitchell compared her playing guitar to jets flying in the air in her song Amelia and the predatory nature of the proverbial  Coyote to that of a man in a bar trying to "score." I just love it when master songwriters, like Anne and Nancy Wilson confront a serious subject with some light-hearted whimsy; just makes for something special.   Hear Dog & Butterfly on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Alan Parsons Project - Lucifer     My song pick 2 years ago today: Midnight Oil - At the Time of Writing   My s...

From: MTV Unplugged in New York ; Year: 1994; Genre: Alternative Rock/Grunge Do not know why, but was thinking about this cover written and recorded by David Bowie from Nirvana's landmark "Unplugged" performance.  It has been said that they really made their cover good enough to be thought of as an original to those who did not know much about music from prior generations. For me, Kurt Cobain's vocals remind me that of R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe, which is a great thing in my opinion.   Watch the '93 Unplugged performance on YouTube.        My song pick 1 year ago today: Cameo - Use It Or Lose It     My song pick 2 years ago today: Wishbone Ash - Living Proof   My song pick 3 years ago today: Crosby, Stills & Nash - Guinnevere   My song pick 4 years ago today: Yellow No 5 - Everything Cherries   My song pick 5 years ago today: Pallas - Blood and Roses   My song pick 6 years ago today: Faith No More - Zombie Eaters   My son...

From: Never Surrender ; Year: 1982; Genre: Hard Rock No reason for choosing this one other than I like this song, band and record. I really like the energy they exude throughout the track with a positive call to action; great one to get your blood pumping before going forth with your tasks for the day.   Hear Writing on the Wall on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Soundgarden - Attrition     My song pick 2 years ago today: Maria Muldaur - Midnight at the Oasis   My song pick 3 years ago today: Parliament - Prelude/Gamin' On Ya   My song pick 4 years ago today: Ram Jam - Black Betty   My song pick 5 years ago today: Jigsaw - Wildfire   My song pick 6 years ago today: Simon & Garfunkel - El Cóndor Pasa (If I Could)   My song pick 7 years ago today: IQ - Awake and Nervous My song pick 8 years ago today: Nirvana - Polly My song pick 9 years ago today: Maktub - Lies My song pick 10 years ago today: Al Stew...