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

737 ( Ian Anderson - A Raft of Penguins ) This is my favourite track off of Ian Anderson's Rupi's Dance album. It's about the unease that Ian Anderson sometimes feels when fronting a large or small orchestra in a formal setting and the perceived apprehension that the classically trained musicians have toward being fronted by a rock star; not knowing who is more scared, him or them. The title: A Raft of Penguins is referring to seeing all of the orchestra members in their formal attire as being likened to a group of penguins. The musical arrangements in this song are simply amazing, there is just so much to listen to in it without it being too intrusive and overwhelming to the casual listener. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

736 ( America - Sister Golden Hair ) As usual I did not have a song in mind for this Sunday pick, however while out and about this one popped on my playlist; when I realized that I had not yet added it I knew I had my pick. I cannot remember when I first heard this one, but it was one of those rare songs that I loved the first time I heard it. I have always enjoyed how dynamic the song is, just so much to listen to in this one; the "crying" electric guitar was always the largest draw for me. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is an excellent live performance on YouTube. Here is a more recent live performance on YouTube. +

735 ( Wilson Pickett - Funky Broadway ) I got this song stuck in my mind today and it refuses to leave; I do like this song quite a bit, so I will add it to my list. This is actually written by Arlester "Dyke" Christian and recorded by his band Dyke & the Blazers the same year that Wilson Pickett recorded his cover of it. However, it was Wilson Pickett's version that became the hit. One of the main hooks in this song is that awesome infectious bass line, which is probably one of the main reasons that it is stuck in my mind. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

734 ( Trio of Doom - Dark Prince ) For those who are unfamiliar with the Trio of Doom , they were a very short-lived Fusion Jazz/Funk supergroup made up of three master Jazz musicians: John McLaughlin (guitar), Jaco Pastorius (Bass), and Tony Williams (Drums); this was their only album together. I can hear a lot of Mingus' influence among others in this song. An excellent piece of Jazz, however it gets just a bit busy at times; almost a musical three-ringed-circus. What do you expect with three Jazz musicians of this caliber playing together at the height of Jazz Fusion? Here is the studio version of Dark Prince with Para Oriente afterward on YouTube. Here is a live recording on YouTube. +

733 ( Jaco Pastorius - Chromatic Fantasy ) Time for some Jaco; this song is a very fun piece of music. Chromatic Fantasy is one of those "musician humbling" pieces of music, which was written by Johann Sebastian Bach ( BWV 903 ); this is Jaco's adaptation of the work on the electric bass. Word of Mouth is an amazing album and I would recommend it to any musical connoisseur or bassist that is not content with holding down the bottom end and/or playing cyclical pedestrian bass lines. Here is a recording of the song on YouTube. Here is an extended bass solo on YouTube, which contains the song amongst others. +

732 ( Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Lookin' Out For #1 ) This is a very different sounding track than what one might think of coming from BTO and the heavy music associated with them. This is a lighter and more complex song that really shows off Randy Bachman's skills as a guitar player; his Chet Atkins and Les Paul influences come out in grand fashion. Here is a fan video with the studio version on YouTube. +

731 ( Jimi Hendrix - Angel ) At well over 700 picks I absolutely needed to add a Jimi Hendrix song to my list; another great artist that I have missed. Even when I have ceased my song blog I can guarantee that some great musical artist will be absent. As I have heard a lot lately: "Every list, (especially online), is full of 'fail.'" Anyway, this is one of my favorite Jimi Hendrix songs; it is just a beautiful track. It was released posthumously on the album: The Cry of Love , which was made up of existing takes from the studio. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

730 ( Wings - Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five ) I should be trying to sleep right now because I have to be up early, but I know it would be futile at this moment, so while I am awake I will go ahead and pick a song. I was out and about a lot today and at one point during my travels this track popped in the radio during the radio programme: Flashback . This song is just way too catchy, this is mostly due to the monster hook that is played on the piano, especially in the intro to the verses; the bass line and overall rhythm also contribute to this song's catchiness as well. There is no mistaking where The Beatles got most of their "poppy" sound from. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

729 ( Rammstein - Du Hast ) For some reason I felt like picking this Rammstein song today; this is probably their most famous and recognizable song this side of the Atlantic. The song's title translated from German is " You Have ," and is written around wedding vows in the chorus. Nothing like a good heavy Rammstein track to start off the new week. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is the Live Aus Berlin performance on YouTube. Here is the Volkerball performance on YouTube. +

728 ( Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man ) I was not intending on picking another 'Skynyrd track today, however I took a look at my list and I realized that I had not added this song yet. This is my favourite Lynyrd Skynyrd song; with all of the 'Skynyrd that I have been playing lately it was a must to be part of my list. Just an absolutely awesome, beautiful song. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a more recent live performance on YouTube. +

727 ( Lynyrd Skynyrd - Mad Hatter ) I am still listening to a lot of 'Skynyrd this week; I decided to pick a gem from one of their more recent albums. This song was recorded as a tribute to bassist Leon Wilkeson, who had passed away during the time of the album's recording session; he appears on a couple of this album's tracks. The nick-name "Mad Hatter" was given to him by the other members of the band because of his odd, colorful hats that he wore while on stage. The bass on this song and on most of the album was performed by Ean Evans , who oddly enough passed away from cancer this May. It has a very different sound than what you would expect from a Lynyrd Skynyrd song, the bass line is awesome, as would be expected in a tribute song to a bassist. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

726 ( Lynyrd Skynyrd - I Never Dreamed ) Yesterday I got the urge to listen to a lot of Lynyrd Skynyrd's music, in particular I dusted off my old vinyl copy of Street Survivors . I kept playing this one a lot and is such a beautiful song that I just had to add to my list today. I have always found Ronnie Van Zant's amazing vocals to be very haunting in this song, a bit of it is probably because that the Street Survivors album is associated with and released just prior to the plane crash . What is odd about this song and that I like a lot is that they brought Leon Wilkeson's bass up in mix and it almost becomes a lead instrument, which only added to nice dynamics in this one. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

725 ( Lynyrd Skynyrd - On The Hunt ) This is another wall shaker that I, like I said in my post yesterday, would use as a medium to rattle things off the shelves. In my opinion this is one of the more underrated Lynyrd Skynyrd songs. Just an amazing hard rock track with the awesome southern rock Skynyrd sound; of course the guitar solos are incredible as usual. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance circa'75 on YouTube. +

724 ( Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Second Hand ) This heavy guitar-riff rock song fits my mood perfectly today. I remember when I was younger cranking this song up and rattling things off the walls. Today I am reliving those memories again watching things rattle off of shelf; such a wonderful feeling. Canadian Hard Rock at its best! Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

723 ( Bob Marley & The Wailers - Three Little Birds ) For the last bit this song has been in and out of my mind; a good time to add some Bob Marley to my list as well. Such nice, beautiful calming music for a stressful time. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

722 ( The Goo Goo Dolls - Black Balloon )   Today I was listening to my playlists on both of my iPods and this song popped up on both listening sessions. I figured that the song wanted to be chosen today badly, so I will add it. This is another one of the songs that I came to like from this album after one of my friends let me borrow the CD a long time ago. I love the dynamics in this song quite a bit, very fun to listen to. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live acoustic version of the song on YouTube. +

721 ( The Who - The Seeker ) I had a song in mind for my pick most of the day, however as I was getting ready to post, this song just slammed into my mind; the vocals/lyrics are just a perfect fit for me today. I have always loved John Entwistle's and Keith Moon's playing in this song; it is just an awesome groove that they lay down in this one. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a music video on YouTube. +

720 ( Les Paul & Marry Ford - World is Waiting For the Sunrise ) Yesterday master guitarist Les Paul died; yet another amazing guitar man passes. Today he is probably mostly known for the electric, solid-body guitar that he invented and the one that's mainstay guitar of the industry which bares his name. For me, however I remember Les Paul for his blistering guitar work; this song contains one of his most memorable solos for me. Not bad for a man who's right arm was permanently set at an angle, which was because of injuries from an auto accident. It's funny how so often someone makes claims that person "X" was a major or "THE" influence on music; there is no question at all about Les Paul's immense influence and contributions to music. I know that there are a lot of musicians out there mourning his passing and many who owe this man for their careers. He will be missed, but his music and the guitar that bares his name will live on. Here is ...

719 ( Savatage - Damien ) I am in need of some Savatage today; this piece of musical awesomeness seems perfect for my mood. This song has almost everything that you would expect from Savatage: technically amazing in almost every aspect, excellent vocals, blazing guitar, and thumping rhythm section. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is an excellent live performance circa '94 on YouTube. +

718 ( Rush - Malignant Narcissism ) I have been meaning to choose this one off of the newest Rush album for a while now. This is one of my favourite instrumentals from their recent albums; it was kind of an impromptu addition to the album. Geddy Lee was apparently messing around with a Jaco Pastorius Jazz bass between vocal takes and a producer liked the riff that he was playing and convinced them to turn it into a song for the album. Here is a music video with the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

717 ( Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now ) I guess that I am picking a song that I heard on the radio this morning; I had not heard this one in eons and it was rather nice to hear this song again. The nice mellow sound makes a nice soundtrack for a quiet Tuesday. Here is an extended music video on YouTube. +

716 ( The Supremes - I Hear a Symphony ) While on the road today this one came on the radio and immediately knew that I had my pick for the day. There is something almost magical about the Motown sound mixed with the beautiful voices of Diana Ross & the Supremes; just an amazing track. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a performance of the song on YouTube. +

715 ( Band of Horses - Islands on the Coast ) I needed something not too serious today for music seeing as how stressful it has been. Since I have not chosen a Band of Horses song in a while it just seemed like a nice pick for this Sunday. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

714 ( Jethro Tull - Spiral ) This song was the main hit off of their '99 release Dot Com . It's a rocker that moves along quite nicely; I love Ian's descriptions of the waking from a dream into the day. Here is a fan video with the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance of the song circa '99 on YouTube. +

713 ( Grace Slick - Angel of Night ) I have been enjoying this album and this song in particular the last little bit and thought that it would make a nice pick for this day. The song has the early 80s big lead guitar sound that compliments Grace Slick's powerful vocals quite well. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

712 ( Megadeth - Sleepwalker ) I have been playing the game Motorstorm: Pacific Rift for the last little bit and this song is one of the highlights on its soundtrack. This one has an excellent classic Megadeth sound to it, which is perfect for driving around in an off-road car combat game. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance circa '07 on YouTube. +

711 ( Queen - Flash ) After a very busy day I am in need of a quick pick. A few of the song-a-day bloggers have chosen this one before, so I guess I am just joining the party. Here is the music video on YouTube. +

710 ( The Police - Synchronicity II ) A bit ago I had someone inform me that my bass playing reminded him of Sting, which I took as a compliment. It is odd, however, because I have never considered Sting as one of my main influences, however I like much of his music and consider him a highly accomplished bassist. Anyway, this is one of my favourite songs from The Police, which has nice bass line and rhythm to it. Here is a video with the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance of the song on YouTube. +

709 ( The Rolling Stones - Paint It Black ) Making a quick pick today. For some reason I was thinking about this song this morning and decided on adding it to my list. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

708 ( Rush - Digital Man ) To my delight this evening while on the road this song came on my iPod's playlist. This Reggae-influenced song is one my favorites from this album, which contains a lot of good music. It is another one of those songs that I like where there are just so many aspects that I like about it. It is an awesome song for the end of the weekend. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

707 ( Queen - Bicycle Race ) This last night and this morning this song kept running through my mind and I want to add some Queen anyway; not like I need a reason. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is part of a live performance of the song on YouTube. +