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

922 ( David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World ) For some reason I am in a Bowie mood this evening. This fantastic tune fit my mood quite well, so I am adding it. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Dire Straits - Industrial Disease My song pick two years ago today: Blues Image - Ride Captain Ride My leap year pick 2.29.08: ABBA - The Visitors +

921 ( Steve Miller Band - Rock'n Me ) I'm making a rather late pick this evening. When I looked up my picks thus far I could not believe that I have not chosen this song yet. I heard it whilst out and about today and figured if I had not picked it yet I would tonight. Anyway, this is another song that is indelibly etched in my mind because of the amount of times I have heard it over my lifetime. A nice song from Stevie "Guitar" Miller to wind up this Saturday. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Three Dog Night - Try A Little Tenderness My song pick two years ago today: Steve Winwood - Roll With It +

920 ( Queen - I'm Going Slightly Mad ) Over the last little bit Queen's Innuendo album has been getting steady play from me. I knew I was picking a song off of it, but it has been extremely difficult to pick just one; so much amazing material. I finally decided on this rather comical track, which was perfect for my mood today; an amazing song in so many ways. Here is the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jerry Reed - Lightning Rod My song pick two years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - Changes +

919 ( Freddie Taylor and His Swing Men from Harlem - Viper's Dream ) I have been meaning to add something from Freddie Taylor for quite a long time now. For a time he and his big band have been one of my main focuses in Jazz music ever since I heard him as part of the accompaniment on other artists' songs. Apparently he made his way to the Paris Jazz scene as part of the Lucky Millinder Orchestra; he stayed and formed his own band. From what I have read the band consisted of: himself, Oscar Alemán, William Diemer, Charlie Johnson, Eugène d’Hellemmes, and Arthur Lanier. This is one of the major recordings that the group had; I love how the song was constructed and how they utilized the brass especially. Here is a recording on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - Pow My song pick two years ago today: Ricky Nelson - Garden Party +

918 ( Black Sabbath - War Pigs ) For some reason last night after a stressful day this song started playing through my mind and would not stop. On my way to 1000 songs chosen so far I noticed that I had not picked a proper Black Sabbath song as of yet; this morning that will be remedied. This anthem is one of my favourite antiwar songs; only Ozzy and co. could so eloquently describe such things with such vivid symbolism. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance from '70 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Pink Floyd - One Of These Days My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - Rare and Precious Chain +

917 ( Fairport Convention - Who Knows Where The Time Goes ) For some reason it just hit me that I should pick something from Fairport Convention this morning. This is one of their hits off of the '69 album " Unhalfbricking " from the pen of "singer/writer/musician" Sandy Denny. This one was actually written before the band existed; a solo acoustic demo exists as well as a recording with the band The Strawbs . This is quite a beautiful song in every aspect; I absolutely love Sandy Denny's vocals mixed with the nice chord structure and guitar counter-line. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live recording from '97 live/studio hybrid album of the song's namesake on YouTube. Here is the demo recording of the song on YouTube. Here is the audio of a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Savatage - Sleep My song pick two years ago today: The Beatles - Across The Universe +

916 ( Converge - Cruel Bloom ) A few days ago whilst I was shopping at a store in a local mall I heard this song playing; it immediately caught my attention. I went up to the clerk and asked him the name of the band; I was taken aback when I heard this rather melodic song was from Converge off their newest album: Axe to Fall . With the style this song is written and arranged in, I would have never guessed it especially when comparing it to their material on other albums such as Jane Doe . Anyway, this track features Steve Von Till on lead vocals and also features Aimee Argote, Chris Taylor, and The Rodeo on backing vocals. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids - She's So Fine My song pick two years ago today: Lobo - A Big Red Kite +

915 ( Heart - Love Alive ) I heard a few songs today which I was contemplating for my pick; in the end this one won out. It is such a beautiful song in so many ways with so many hooks, amazing vocals, and guitar work (as usual). Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Gregg Allman - I'm No Angel My song pick two years ago today: Yes - Long Distance Runaround/The Fish (schindleria praematurus) +

914 ( Jerry Reed - Wabash Cannonball ) I have been meaning to add this one to my list for quite a while now. This one is another train song that has been recorded many times by many musicians. It was written sometime in the mid-late 1800s and is credited to a J.A. Wolf. Oddly enough from what I have read, no train called The Wabash Cannonball existed outside of folklore when this song was written. However, after the song gained popularity The Wabash Railroad named one of their express trains The Wabash Cannonball . Anyway, this is one of my favourite versions of the song; Jerry Reed's guitar picking and authoritative vocals are fantastic. Here is a studio version on YouTube. Here is a television performance on YouTube. Here is an awesome medley containing Wabash Cannonball on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Ray Stevens - Gitarzan My song pick two years ago today: REO Speedwagon - Back on the Road Again +

913 ( Wilson Pickett - Hey Jude ) For some reason I have been in a Soul mood this morning mostly the Funky sounds of Wilson Pickett have been dominating my attention. This is the legendary cover of The Beatles classic which not only was a hit for Wilson Pickett, but also launched the career one renowned guitarist: Duane Allman . From what I understand his performance on guitar also caught the attention of Eric Clapton who ended up having him play the lead guitar on " Layla ." I love how they arranged this song to not be just a cover, but really made the song their own. Adding so much power and soul then having a beautiful and tasteful guitar solo at the end instead of regaling us with the tortuous 4 minutes of "na na na hey Jude" that we either have to endure or just skip. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live television performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Johnny Mandel - Suicide is Painless My song pick two years ago today: Rush...

912 ( U2 - I Will Follow ) Having one of those days where I set out to do my song pick sans a song in mind that felt right for the day. However, this morning whilst on the road I heard some U2 and their music kept going through my mind; especially their earlier sound. I decided that I should choose something from their earlier catalogue. This straight-ahead rocker hails from their first album, " Boy ;" it was one of the album's hits. Here is the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Delgados - Keep On Breathing My song pick two years ago today: Yoko Kanno (The Seat Belts) - Tank! +

911 ( Black 47 - Funky Céilí (Bridie's Song) ) I found out this band quite a while ago and am finally getting around to adding one of their songs to my list. They have been described as Celtic Rock band, which in my opinion does describe their sound quite well although their music is not only just a mix of Rock and Irish pub music. I love the lyrical narrative they put forth within this song, it is down to Earth and quite humourous at the same time. Hear Funky Céilí on YouTube. Here is part of the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Duran Duran - Planet Earth My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - Rocks on the Road +

910 ( The Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the Devil ) Was listening to some Stones the other day; I figured that I should add another one of their tracks to my list. This is another one of those songs that I cannot believe I have not yet picked; it is one of my favourite Rolling Stones tracks of all time. A good song both lyrically and musically. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Moody Blues - OM My song pick two years ago today: Jon Oliva's Pain - Guardian Of Forever +

909 ( Bobby Bare - The Winner ) I had not heard this song in a rather long time, so I finally decided looked it up on YouTube, and sure enough it was there. Anyway, it is another Country/Blues tune that uses talksinging to tell a story. This is a rather funny one about a man challenging a perpetual winner to a barfight and "the winner" informing the other man about everything that goes with being "the winner." Here is a recording of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Pearl Jam - Even Flow My song pick two years ago today: Bon Jovi - It's My Life +

908 ( Survivor - The Eye of the Tiger ) This being the start of Chinese New Year and it being the Year of the Tiger, I needed a song with a suitable title for the occasion. After a bit I finally decided on this legendary '80s Rock mainstay for my pick this evening. Anyway, Happy New Year and/or Valentine's Day! Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Black Crowes - Remedy My song pick two years ago today: The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Fire (I am the god of Hellfire) +

907 ( Tarot - Ashes To The Stars ) Needing to make another quick song pick for a rather busy Saturday. This is an awesome track with a space theme off of their newest album; although they are supposedly releasing a new album this year. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Goo Goo Dolls - Broadway My song pick two years ago today: The Offspring - Come Out And Play +

906 ( John Denver - Wild Flowers in a Mason Jar ) I have always been a big John Denver fan, mostly of his material from the 60s and 70s, however there are quite a few from his later catalog that I have come to enjoy as well. This song comes from his 1981 Folk album Some Days Are Diamonds , which was toward the end of his mainstream success. Here is a fan video with the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Locomotive Breath My song pick two years ago today: Rammstein - Spieluhr +

905 ( Manuel de Falla - Danza Del Terror (Dance of Terror) ) I cannot count the amount of times I have heard this piece outside of the greater operatic piece " El Amor Brujo ." If you have seen old cartoons from the 1920s through the 1940s you probably have heard this song playing at some point. Anyway, this is an amazing piece of anxious music that has somewhat of a "diabolical" feel to it. Here is a recording on YouTube. Here is another recording with the " Danza ritual del fuego (Ritual Fire Dance) " section as well on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Dire Straits - Lady Writer My song pick two years ago today: Rammstein - Zerstören +

904 ( Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli (Quintette du Hot Club de France) - Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away) ) Yesterday I picked up a copy of the game Bioshock 2 and was pleasantly surprised that it was loaded with a lot of excellent music that I normally listen to. One artist featured on a few of the tracks was Django Reinhardt and company. I immediately recognized his guitar and Stephane Grappelli's distinct violin playing style without even seeing that he was on the soundtrack. After going through the game last night and listening to his music off and on, I figured that I should choose one of his songs. Here is a recording of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Little Wing My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - Said She Was A Dancer +

903 ( Queen - Seaside Rendezvous ) Even though I love this song a lot, I cannot say it is my favourite Queen song or even my favourite track off of " A Night At The Opera " for that matter; a lot of good music here. This song and album really showed off the magnitude of their creative range as a band. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London My song pick two years ago today: Band of Horses - Is There A Ghost? +

902 ( Uriah Heep - Gypsy ) Wow, over 900 in and no Uriah Heep? I'll fix that. I really felt like some early Metal this morning to wake up to; Uriah Heep was one of the many bands I've been listening to this morning. This is an early '70s Hard Rock/Metal song not too dissimilar from the other pioneers of the genre at the time. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: T-Rex - Bang a Gong (Get it On) My song pick two years ago today: Savatage - Devastation +

901 ( Jim Croce - These Dreams ) The last few days I have been logging many miles on the road with my iPod playing. Yesterday whilst on the road this rather beautiful song from the Folk/Rock maestro Jim Croce came on from my playlist; I figured that it would make a nice pick for this Sunday evening. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Alice Cooper - No More Mr. Nice Guy My song pick two years ago today: Savatage - Tonight He Grins Again +

900 ( .38 Special - Chain Lightnin' ) Making a quick pick on this rather busy day; figured I couldn't go wrong with some .38 Special. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Cream - Swlabr My song pick two years ago today: Three Dog Night - Celebrate +

899 ( Aphrodite's Child - Hic et Nunc ) A little over a couple of weeks ago Arthur (Tuuur) chose a song from Aphrodite's Child off of this album . I had been trying to find out who did this the album for quite some time after hearing it over 20 years ago. The main problem is I could only remember the music, 666 on the album cover, and the subject matter. Try to put that into search engine and you won't believe how many millions of irrelevant hits you get concerning music, 666, and the end of the world; not very useful at all. Anyway, as I said before, Arthur posted one of their songs, helping to end my search; my thanks go out to him. Aphrodite's Child was a Greek Rock band and was one of Vangelis' projects; he would probably be best known for his composition: Chariots of Fire (which can be found here on YouTube ), which is another melody that is indelibly burnt into my mind. This album is a rock opera of sorts using The Apocalypse of John , aka The Book of Revel...

898 ( KISS - She ) I have been meaning to add this headbanging rocker to my list for a while now, today seems right for the pick. It is a heavier song driven by riffs and a strutting rhythm; quite nicely arranged. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance from '98 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Hawkwind - Assault and Battery/The Golden Void My song pick two years ago today: Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart +

897 ( Molly Hatchet - Fall of the Peacemakers ) I was listening to a lot of Molly Hatchet's music over the last couple of days and this one in particular got a lot of replay. It is probably considered the main hit and is my favorite off the album, however for the most part I like the record in its entirety. No Guts... No Glory featured the return of original vocalist Danny Joe Brown and also was the only Molly Hatchet album to not feature fantasy album artwork. The overall feel of the song is a quite melancholy and beautiful at the same time; as with the majority of Molly Hatchet songs the musicianship is incredible. For the first half of the song follows the pattern of instrumental-verse-chorus, then, as with most Southern Rock bands, finishes with a four minute guitar solo. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Don Mclean - American Pie   My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - Later...

896 ( Iron Maiden - Powerslave) The other day whilst queueing at the college this song came on my iPod and was quite a nice treat to relieve the boredom. Although people kind of look at you weird when you are rocking out to something they themselves cannot hear. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance from '85 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: George Frideric Handel - Every Valley Shall Be Exalted My song pick two years ago today: Kohei Tanaka - Kline's Dream +

895 ( Nora Bayes - The Japanese Sandman ) This is another one of those songs composed about 90 years ago in the vein of fantasizing about a far away and exotic land, in this case Japan. The song was composed by Richard A. Whiting with lyrics by Raymond B. Egan circa 1920 and was recorded by numerous artists; I really like Nora Bayes' beautiful vocals in her interpretation of the song. Here is a recording of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Queen - We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions My song pick two years ago today: The Little River Band - Reminiscing +