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

From: Guitar Man ; Year: 1972; Genre: Soft Rock Used to listen to this record a lot back when I was in my early teens; still love it quite a bit. It's one of those album oriented rock discs that each track just leads from one to another perfectly as to not break the vibe and flow of the listener. In my opinion Guitar Man was Bread's best record by a country mile; even though they might've had bigger hits elsewhere, the sum of its parts just blows their other studio album away. Anyway, this piece that features strings and acoustic guitar is quite mellow musically on the surface, but the emotion conveyed in the chord choices and melody along with David Gates' vocal performance make it deep and heavy all the same.   Hear Aubrey on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Bryan Adams - Summer of '69     My song pick 2 years ago today: For Squirrels - Plymouth     My song pick 3 years ago today: The Undisputed Truth - Atomic Funk   ...

From: Fuck Everyone And Run (F E A R) ; Year: 2016; Genre: Progressive Rock I must be in a solemn or melancholy mood lately; been listening to a lot of heavy downer, but powerful music. I suppose this whole record is more so with the overall current subject matter of how humankind has devolved to the point of seeing an impending global catastrophe, be it economic, humanitarian, etc... and the overall reaction, especially those who have the ability to make a difference, to just greedily acquire all the money and resources whilst charging head-first into the annihilation. Kind of a "the winner is the one who dies with the most" type of thinking. Anyhoo, this is the opening track/mini concept piece that consists of five songs within. Quite a pretty and uplifting suite of music that works in such a way that the listener's attention is kept throughout its entirety.      Watch a full live performance on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Rammste...

From: Truth ; Year: 1968; Genre: Hard Rock/Blues Rock This is the second song that I am aware of that was inspired by the late 1950s novel and film On The Beach ; the other being Dancing With Tears In My Eyes by Ultravox. While being the very dark and heavy subject matter of the omnipresent threat of nuclear holocaust experienced by those who lived Post War into the 1990s, it is quite thought-provoking. It was originally written in the early '60s by singer/songwriter Bonnie Dobson and subsequently covered many times since. I really like the overall arrangement and direction on this cover. All of the music is absolutely great as is Rod Stewart's vocals.   Hear Morning Dew on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Carmen - Sailor Song     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Isley Brothers - Hope You Feel Better Love (Part 1+2)     My song pick 3 years ago today: Gary Wright - Dream Weaver   My song pick 4 years ago today: Glass...

From: Fake Songs ; Year: 2002; Genre: Punk Rock/Comedy It's been 19 years now and am finally getting around to picking something from Liam Lynch; should've some time ago, eh?  This is probably his best-known song as far as I am aware; he is much more prevalent in television and other film media and apparently does the majority of his work there. The whole funny "attitude song" is really wot makes it as great as it is, but it can get old quite fast if played too much.   Hear United States of Whatever on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire feat. The Emotions - Boogie Wonderland     My song pick 2 years ago today: Nina Simone - Pirate Jenny (The Black Freighter)     My song pick 3 years ago today: Smash Mouth - Walkin' On the Sun   My song pick 4 years ago today: Fairport Convention - No Man's Land   My song pick 5 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Goin' Through the Motions   My song pic...

From: Movements Vol.11 ; Year: 2022; Genre: Bossa Nova Jazz/Soul/Funk As with a great deal of the artists featured on this compilation series, there is not a lot I know of this band other than I love that funky flavoured Latin Bossa Nova jazz. Certainly a bouncy tune with an infectious groove.   Hear Sidewinder on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Be Ever Wonderful     My song pick 2 years ago today: Cyndi Lauper - Money Changes Everything     My song pick 3 years ago today: Jimmy Buffett - Come Monday   My song pick 4 years ago today: Cab Calloway and His Orchestra - Minnie the Moocher   My song pick 5 years ago today: G.C. Cameron - It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday   My song pick 6 years ago today: Funkadelic - Cosmic Slop My song pick 7 years ago today: The Psychedelic Furs - The Ghost in You My song pick 8 years ago today: Bon Jovi - If I Was Your Mother My song p...

From: Chet Atkins Picks on the Beatles ; Year: 1966; Genre: Rock/Pop Records like this is among the reasons I love and respect Chet Atkins as a musician and shredding picker on the guitar. He recorded a few of these "Chet Atkins Pick on X" albums. And whilst he is mostly synonymous with Nashville and country and western, he actually delved into a wide spectrum of music, be it country, folk, bluegrass, blues, jazz, classical, R&B, soul, Spanish/Mexican/Flamenco, rock, pop and basically everything in between. He definitely was without a doubt a musician's musician. What I like most about this one is how his unmistakable picking and sound are in the forefront and ever-present, he keep The Beatles' spirit of their pop rock composition totally intact.  I really wonder though, what John, Paul, George, and Ringo thought of his covers?   Hear Chet's cover of Hard Day's Night on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: R.E.M. - Bang and Blame   ...