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

Recently, on public television they have been running a series Jazz music that I recommend for any person to watch if he/she likes music. They ran one on " Risk Jazz " that entailed some of the great Jazz artists; that is why I was particularly interested in this episode. They came across Louis Armstrong and some of his story; I realized that I had not chosen any of his music yet. This is one of his biggest hits and I thought that it should be added to my list today. Here is a recording of the song on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

Last night I was re-organizing my iTunes music and this song was one that was playing while I worked. I came to like this song after seeing Rush live; their show that went on with the song really made it stand out in my mind. This song is more straight ahead rock than a lot of their more popular 80's music but still is as technical as most Rush songs. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance circa '94 on YouTube. +

This song has been going through my mind for the last little bit, so I figured that it needed chosen. This is probably The Cranberries' biggest hit and if you were alive in the mid to late 90's this song was unavoidable. The song's subject matter is about the political unrest and blood being spilt in Northern Ireland; specifically an IRA attack that killed two young boys in Warrington, Cheshire England. Thankfully today, for the most part, clearer heads have prevailed in this conflict. The vocals and music really compliment the message of this protest song a lot. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

In need of some heavy music I came across this track today and it was just what I needed. The technical ability of the musicians and the vocals in this song are excellent. Tapio Wilska's awesome growling vocals make a wonderful addition/contrast in the sound. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I found out about this Indie Rock band a bit ago when this song was used as an opening for an Animѐ called Gunnslinger Girl . This seems to have become a trend as of late in a lot of Animѐ to use music from bands that is already released for openings and endings rather than having the songs made for it. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

I have meaning to pick a Billy Joel song for a couple of months now but kept forgetting, so I figured that I would now. Billy Joel has gained a lot of respect from me after I watched a couple of interviews of him on the television; because of this I have come to appreciate his music even more. I have always liked this song a lot; many parts of the song are incredibly well arranged. The Prelude section is the main hook of the song, his vocals are also a big draw with his rapid-fire lyrics. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

What I remember the most about this album, other than the all of the great music itself, is the enormous amount of synthesizer used. I actually for the most part I like the non-hits of this album just as much if not more than the hits; usually I play it in its entirety. The bass, drums, and keyboards are the most prominent instruments in this song; the weird sounds made by the synthesizer round out the song excellently. Steve Miller's vocals on this song are in my opinion some of his best. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

I have known about this song for a while now and I finally figured that it needed chosen. Many aspects of this song remind me of Tom Petty's sound quite a bit with a punk/grunge twinge; an excellent straight-up rock song. Here is a fan video with the studio version on YouTube. +

The tune to this song has been going through my head for about a year now. Ben E. King's vocal talent is what really makes this song as amazing as it is in my opinion. Anyway, this is one of the most interesting and deep love songs that I have heard and I am glad that I picked it. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

Life has been a stressful pain in recent days and music has been down my list of things to think about. For this reason I did not have a song to pick in mind, so again I spun my playlist and this song came up. This is one of those tracks that the majority of people today probably disdain. It is more than likely due to the song being linked to the late 80's and early 90's sound that is fashionable to knock at the moment. For the most part I judge a song on its content, not the genre or imagery; and I like this one varying reasons. The biggest reason that I like it is because the conjures up memories that are tied to it. The song is dynamic and the technical ability of the musicians is excellent as well. Though the band had a short and bright popularity, from what I understand they are still touring and recording at this time. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is an "unplugged" live version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

This is another day in which I had no song in mind, so again I spun my playlist and this gem came up. Around the time of the release of this album I was heavily into Ozzy's music and I purchased the album the day it was released; this song was in my opinion the best track on the album. I always thought the song to be very Beatlesque but still very much an Ozzy song as well. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

I was in need of a song for today's pick and this song just popped into my mind and I knew it was time to add it to my list. Anyway, this is another song that I instantly fell in love with; probably it is the strange lyrics/story and hypnotic rhythm or the song that garnered my main attention. The song was co-written by Patti Smith and band member Donald Roeser; also American Idol judge Randy Jackson played bass on this track. I love the changes that they use in the arrangement, especially when they go from the verses to the chorus. And of course the bass line is one of their best in my opinion. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I came across this song a while ago and immediately fell in love with it. Most who think of the title: "Multi-Instrumentalist" or "Poly-Instrumentalist" one conjures up the idea of someone dubbing tracks on a recording. Roland Kirk was one that took that title to where many others could and cannot, because he was able to play multiple instruments live at the same time. He was one of the most amazing musicians of the last century; it was a shame that, like many other Jazz greats, that his life was cut short. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

No real reason for choosing this one other than it is an excellent song from an excellent band that I like. Here is the music video on YouTube. +

In the last two gigs that my friend and teacher, Tom Rutley and his band, "Effervescent Smoothy," played they covered this song. This was one of their best song they played on both nights and I decided that it would be nice to pick it. The song is light-hearted blues and is quite mellow and fun to listen to. Here is a fan video with the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I realized that Foreigner has not graced my list as of yet. This morning " Long, Long Way From Home " was played on the radio and I felt it would be an excellent choice. This straight-up rocker has a lot of descent hooks that really grab the attention of the listener. Probably the best ones are in the interludes with the way they mix the guitar and synthesizer. The whole song is very tight and well arranged. Of course, it does have the early Foreigner sound before they smoothed and mellowed out their music, which is a definite plus. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I had no song in mind to pick so I spun my playlist again and this song popped up. From what I remember from an interview I watched, this song was written while Ray Davies was taking time off from the band and becoming bored; he was writing observations of not only himself, but others around him in England. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a music video on YouTube. +

Oddly enough I am finishing off my Clapton week with a song by another solo act. This bluesy song is gospel influenced and has a definite melancholy feel to it. Clapton played lead guitar on this track with Phil Collins and the job he did was, of course, excellent. Both Eric Clapton and Phil Collins along with much of the backing group of musicians played on each others' albums and subsequently both albums: Journeyman and ...But Seriously have similar sounds. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I decided that this JJ Cale song that Clapton made famous would be an excellent addition to my Eric Clapton week. To be honest, I have never really enjoyed the earlier version of the song that much, but it's still a good version. However, the later recording of this song from the mid eighties is the one that I fell in love with. There is something about Eric Clapton's guitar work and Nathan East's bass that is just beyond incredible about that recording. I just love the slower, bluesy sound that is in the later version. Here is the earlier version of the song on YouTube. Here is a music video with the slower '80s version on YouTube. +

I don't think that my Clapton week would be complete without this song. This is one of his songs that I instantly fell in love with and helped make me a Nathan East fan with that excellent bass line, which carries the song. The slide guitar solo is quite nice; it is another one of my favorite aspects of the song. From what I understand this song was written about Eric Clapton's father and how he never knew him. It is such a beautiful song and definitely in need of being chosen. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I am continuing my Clapton week and this song happened to come to mind this morning, I figured that it would be a good pick. Very much an 80's Clapton style song in almost every aspect. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I am continuing my Clapton kick for now with this song, which is one of my favourites from Cream. Every time I hear this song I always get a chill; it is an excellent composition. The lyrics are about some of the parts of Homer's Odyssey . From what I heard in a Clapton interview, the song's structure was inspired by The Loving Spoonful's hit Summer in the City . What more can be said about the ability and performance of this trio of legendary musicians? They are just incredible; Eric Clapton always is surrounded by the best. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a classic live performance circa '68 on YouTube. +

I have been on a Clapton kick the last couple of days and decided to keep it going here as well. This song is one of the few from this album that does not have Duane Allman playing on it. It is another song that not only has Clapton playing his exquisite guitar work, but it also has an excellent bass line as well. This is a slower love song that is most likely the second most famous song from this album; only Layla really eclipses it. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is an "unplugged" live performance of the song on YouTube. Here is a live performance featuring Bobby Whitlock on YouTube. +

I have been listening to this song a lot lately and I thought that it would make an excellent pick. Probably what I like the most about this song is the bass line. I had always assumed that it was Nathan East playing on this album until I did a bit of research and found out that it was Pino Palladino who played bass on the studio version of this track. He is also the bassist who replaced John Entwistle after his death with The Who; he has also played with a plethora of other acts. Actually this song has a star-studded cast; along with Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Mick Jones to name a few. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is the music video on YouTube. +

I heard this song on the radio this morning and I figured it would be an excellent pick. Ever since I first heard this song over 20 years ago I have liked it. I like the trance-like groove that this song puts forth. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I have been having trouble with my internet tonight, so I have to make a quick pick. This is another anthemesque song from the Streets album. As with most all other Savatage songs, it has powerful lyrics, excellent musicianship and vocals. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

This track has been running through my head all this morning and I thought that it would make an excellent pick. This song and album, which was released in 2002, was inspired out of the aftermath of the Sept. 11 tragedy. Apparently it hit close to home for the band because they are from New Jersey. This song in particular was a stunning success world wide, however here in the U.S. it did not have as much of a stellar reception. It is very much a general rock song in the Bon Jovi style, in this one John's vocals are excellent as well as Ritchie's guitar. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

Another day without a pick in mind, so I spun the playlist and this song came up. This has always been one of my favorite Three Dog Night songs. As with the majority of Three Dog Night songs it is a cover; this one was written by Paul Williams. Probably the two most striking aspects of this song is the tight harmonies between the three lead singers and the keyboard's counter line; of course the rhythm section is excellent as well. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I probably should have waited until a proper holiday or event which this would have fit, however, tomorrow is the 4th of July (Independence Day), so it kind of fits. This masterpiece of music was written for the reconsecration of the Coventry Cathedral in '62, which was destroyed during bombing in World War II. The entire piece is over one hour long and takes the shape of a Latin Funeral Mass in which he mixed with it nine different poems about war written by Wilfred Owen. This is one of the more emotional pieces of music written and is very powerful. One of the best parts for me is throughout they use odd meters, which actually fits very well; in the traditional Funeral Mass chants of the Dies Irae no meter exists. Here are a few select parts of the entire piece conducted by Mstilav Rostropovich: Here is the Aeternam section on YouTube. Here is the famous Dies Irae section on YouTube. Here is the Lacrimosa section on YouTube. Here is the Sanctus section on YouTube. +

Earlier this song was on the radio and it has been stuck in my head a bit, so I decided since I haven't chosen an America song yet I will now. This Folk/Rock song is known mostly for its weird lyrics and imagery. Over the years I have heard three explanations about the odd subject matter/lyrics of the song: 1. It is a song about going through withdrawals after quitting a drug, 2. It is about taking a new drug, 3. A bad drug trip. Whatever the case, it is still an excellent song. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a Top of the Pops performance on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

This song was running through my head this morning; is one of my favorites by Band of Horses, so I figured that I would choose it. LRC stands for "Little Red Caboose," which was a train in Western Washington State near Mount Rainier, it was transformed into a resort where Ben Bridwell supposedly hung out at. From what I have read, this song was inspired by entries in the resort's logbook about the happenings over the years. The song's structure is what I love the most; the song is a bit raucous and chunky at the beginning and smooths out and becomes quite melodic. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +