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

From: Clouds ; Year: 1969; Genre: Folk So, a new month doth begin.... I have always been an admirer of Joni Mitchell's musical ability and songwriting, of which she really does not get the recognition entitled, outside of the serious and accomplished or so it would seem. This is probably one of, if not her most famous piece of music; it is really amongst the "landmark" songs of the last century. There's really nothing about it that is "wanting" in any aspect and leaves it to the listener to pick out and listen to the track deeply or more shallow depending on the person and mood at the time.   Hear Both Sides, Now on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Queen - Seven Seas on Rhye     My song pick 2 years ago today: Al Di Meola - Broken Heart     My song pick 3 years ago today: The Searchers - Needles & Pins   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Offspring - I Choose   My song pick 5 years ago today: Wolfmother - The S...

From: Movin' On ; Year: 1975; Genre: Funk No idea why, but had Lionel Ritchie on my brain for this final pick of July; why not something downright funky from the band he made his name with?     Hear Gimme My Mule on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Iain Matthews - Slip Away     My song pick 2 years ago today: Stormwarrior - Freeborn     My song pick 3 years ago today: Fleetwood Mac - I'm So Afraid   My song pick 4 years ago today: Frank Zappa - He Used to Cut the Grass   My song pick 5 years ago today: England Dan & John Ford Coley - The Prisoner   My song pick 6 years ago today: Firehouse - All She Wrote   My song pick 7 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Motoreyes My song pick 8 years ago today: Ween - The Mollusk My song pick 9 years ago today: Simon & Garfunkle - At the Zoo My song pick 10 years ago today: Rush - Prime Mover My song pick 11 years ago today: Dazz Band - Swoop "I'm ...

From: The Wörld is Yours ; Year: 2011; Genre: Hard Rock/Metal Time for another fast as heck hard rocking song from Lemmy and his band Motörhead. I have said it before, and I'll say it again: I wish to God that I had the same ability to be as unforgivingly eloquent and immune to ridicule as Mr. Ian Kilmister.   Hear Bye Bye Bitch Bye Bye on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Don't Come Running To Me     My song pick 2 years ago today: Black Sabbath - Killing Yourself to Live     My song pick 3 years ago today: Al Di Meola - Atavism of Twilight   My song pick 4 years ago today: Lou Reed - My Red Joystick   My song pick 5 years ago today: Stevie Wonder - Don't You Worry About a Thing   My song pick 6 years ago today: Cream - Take it Back   My song pick 7 years ago today: Sweet - Ballroom Blitz My song pick 8 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Don't Let the Blues Get You Down ...

From: Road Runner ; Year: 1966; Genre: Soul/R&B/Motown Was thinking about the landmark film Cooley High last night, which is one I want to watch again, (I'm a) Road Runner was of course included in its amazing soundtrack. There's so much to love about this one; no detractors in the slightest in my biased opinion.   Hear (I'm a) Road Runner on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Supertramp - Brother Where You Bound     My song pick 2 years ago today: Fairport Convention - Book Song     My song pick 3 years ago today: Heart - Without You   My song pick 4 years ago today: Stanley Clarke - We Supply   My song pick 5 years ago today: ZZ Top - Stages   My song pick 6 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Strip Cartoon   My song pick 7 years ago today: Steve Vai - The Animal My song pick 8 years ago today: Savatage - Strange Wings My song pick 9 years ago today: Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night My song pick 10...

From: Liege & Lief ; Year: 1969; Genre: Folk/Folk Rock This is another really interesting piece that is a folk rock arrangement of a traditional folk song: Roud 493; known as The Deserter and/or Ratcliffe Highway . From wot I can find, it was written sometime in either the 18th or 17th Century and has no definite author. One aspect about a lot of these old folk ballads is that most are based on a kernel of truth about some actual happening, although I do not know anything about if it is true of this one. The Deserter is one that Sandy Denny lent her beautiful voice to as lead vocalist, which, in my opinion is already a big win. However, though one should not be remissed in the great folk rock arrangement of the band. That floating time signature that is mostly in a waltz keeps the listener off balance somewhat, but helps to keep the attention of those beholding the story being told as to not let their regard for it to diminish.   Hear The Deserter on YouTube.     ...

From: An Hour Before It's Dark ; Year: 2022; Genre: Progressive Rock Just needed some "neo-prog" today; decided on picking something from Marillion's most recent studio album. As with the majority of the pieces of music on the record, Be Hard On Yourself is made up of three smaller tracks: i. The Tear in the Big Picture , ii. Lust for Luxury , and iii. You Can Learn . To my ears Steve Hogarth's vocals remind me of Meat Loaf at times throughout this one, but other than that it is pretty similar to more recent Marillion across the board, which is excellent and exactly wot I needed.   Hear Be Hard On Yourself on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Chuck Mangione - Feels So Good     My song pick 2 years ago today: Green Day - F.O.D.     My song pick 3 years ago today: Van Halen - Dreams   My song pick 4 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - The Great Sun Jester   My song pick 5 years ago today: King Crimson - Lady of the D...