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

From: Idlewild South ; Year: 1970; Genre: Southern Rock/Blues Rock Recently, I read an insightful interview with the only surviving member of this historic band: Jai Johanny Johanson, or Jaimoe . He was one of the two amazing drummers/percussionists, (the other being Butch Trucks ), for the band throughout their most prosperous times and has appeared on the majority of their albums. I have to say that I still to this day love watching those two masters in the live recordings; almost like drumming professors putting on a clinic. Amongst a few neat things and anecdotes I learned was that each member had a tattoo of a psychedelic mushroom as kind of brotherhood bond and that he was proud to have the last one on his leg. It is still difficult for me to acknowledge that so many have passed on; they themselves were and are like monuments to American music. Anyway, I thought that I would revisit one of my favourite records; like most of their artistry, Idlewild South is best played all at on...

From: Simplicity ; Year: 2014; Genre: Hard Rock Tesla's Simplicity album is one that I "leap-frogged" over for no apparent reason. I absolutely love their previous album Forever More and the next album Shock , but just missed out on the one in between. I have to say, it is another case of better late than never, I really like wot I have heard; this is one of my favourites from it. Thematically, this one is quite heavy, dealing with someone who just missed out on what could've been a great relationship. From the narrator's point-of-view this individual rebuffed/strung him on throughout their time knowing one another, but then apparently comes back, expecting the narrator to have just waited endlessly. However, he and time moved on and now wot could've been can never happen. I really love the sound and composition of it; very much in their classic sound. It reminds me a lot of how they sounded back in the day, which is very good in my book.   Hear Burnout to F...

From: Undead ; Year: 1968; Genre: Blues Rock/Jazz Rock Found another cover of this favourite of mine; this one comes from the first live album from Ten Years After. It's a very interesting take on the Gershwin classic, which is used as an introduction/overture for drummer Ric Lee's  Shantung Cabbage  drum solo.    Hear Summertime/Shantung Cabbage on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: War - Slowly We Walk Together     My song pick 2 years ago today: Normaal - Val Kapot     My song pick 3 years ago today: Brass Construction - Screwed (Conditions)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Procol Harum - Song for a Dreamer   My song pick 5 years ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Watching Over You   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Charlie Daniels Band - The Devil Went Down To Georgia   My song pick 7 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Givin' It All Away My song pick 8 years ago t...

From: The Crow: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ; Year: 1994; Genre: Alternative Metal Last night was going over my "Music" app on my computer; man, I miss iTunes.... I know "owning music" is so passé and out of fashion and I should just be streaming, but that's just not for me. Anyway, I noticed quite a few of my songs greyed out, apparently missing the file that goes with it. I have absolutely no idea how I "lost" the songs, so had to go searching around for the original copies. Long story short, I got most of them recovered and backed up in multiple places. As you probably surmised, this was among the missing songs; I was really glad to have The Crow soundtrack complete once more digitally. I really wish more of the recent films had such a great soundtrack; all big hit songs that actually could serve as an early 1990s rock music soundtrack as well as a film's. This is one of those albums that you can put on and just enjoy from alpha to zed, ...

From: Mr. Gone ; Year: 1978; Genre: Jazz Fusion Don't know why I have not been listening to as much Weather Report as I used to. At that, the last time I chose one of their songs was over three years ago, and it was one off of this record to boot. For the last couple of decades I consumed a lot of the Weather Report material as well as associated acts and artists; Wayne Shorter and, of course Jaco in particular. I'm thinking that it might have to do with delving into other Fusion bands and players that've taken up my attention. Like Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return to Forever, Herbie Hancock and his Head Hunters, as well as all of their related bands and solo artists, which is extensive if you think about it. It is a real treat every time one of Joe Zawinul and Weather Report's music pops on my playlist; still enjoy it a lot. Anyway, this is one of Jaco Pastorius' songs, and whilst being a tour d'force in bass guitar virtuosity, all of the other band members get to ...

From: A Man of Value ; Year: 1972; Genre: Soul Had this rather profound song come on whilst driving the other day; it has been on my mind ever since. The Politician is one written by the ever-eloquent and productive songwriter/musician/singer Mac Davis, who I have come to admire the more I have delved into the breadth of his work. Mac never recorded this one as far I know, but really, I do not think you could get any better of a delivery and performance than that of the legendary Lou Rawls; this one just makes the hairs on your arms stand up and gives goose bumps/chills as the song progresses.   Hear The Politician on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: James Brown - Living in America     My song pick 2 years ago today: Pearls Before Swine - Ballad to an Amber Lady     My song pick 3 years ago today: Hawkwind - The Last Messiah   My song pick 4 years ago today: Traffic - Heaven is in Your Mind   My song pick 5 years a...