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

1444 Steve Vai - Details at 10 From: Flex-Able Leftovers , Year: 1998 Genre: Guitar Rock/Comedy I'm attempting to get my Sunday pick in and this track off of Steve Vai's Flex-Able Leftovers seemed to fit my mood. This is another social commentary song done in the vain of Frank Zappa. In this song he lambastes the news media concerning the narcissistic and disgusting way they interrupt your television viewing with disturbing presentations of news stories. Hear Details at 10 on YouTube. There is more than a bit of extreme language contained so, (NSFW). My song pick a year ago today: England Dan & John Ford Coley - Westward Wind My song pick two years ago today: Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade of Pale My song pick three years ago today: Louis Armstrong - Hello Dolly +

1443 Chet Atkins - I Wish I Knew From: Chet Atkins Picks the Best , Year: 1967 Genre: Jazz/Pop I've been learning to play this rather catchy Latin flavoured tune on my nylon-stringed guitar over the last little bit and I thought it would make a nice pick for this Saturday. As with anything played by guitar maestro Chet Atkins, this track is exquisitely done. Hear I Wish I Knew on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Sergei Prokofiev - Op. 67 - Peter and the Wolf My song pick two years ago today: Lalo Schifrin - Scorpio's Theme My song pick three years ago today: Rush - Dreamline +

1442 Finntroll - Ursvamp From Nattfödd , Year: 2004 Genre: Black Metal/Folk Metal Getting woke up to start the workday; there's nothing better to get the blood moving in the morning than some fast tempoed, Hummpa infused Metal from Finntroll. Hear Ursvamp on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Eric Burdon & the Animals - Sky Pilot My song pick two years ago today: The Rogue Traders - Voodoo Child My song pick three years ago today: The Cranberries - Zombie +

1441 Muse - Uprising From: The Resistance , Year: 2009 Genre: Progressive Rock/Alternative I've had Muse on der gehirn over the last couple of days and I'm finally getting around to picking another one of their songs. I love the way this song moves along with its grooving strut. Watch the music video on YouTube. Watch a live performance from Later... with Jools Holland on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Guns N' Roses - Don't Cry My song pick two years ago today: Puhdys, featuring Till Lindemann and Richard Krupse - Wut Will Nicht Sterben My song pick three years ago today: Nightwish - The Pharaoh Sails To Orion +

1440 America - Lonely People From: Holiday , Year: 1974 Genre: Folk/Rock I found out today that Dan Peek passed away a couple of days ago, a write-up can be found here . This was the first America song that I knew was from his pen that came to mind; it was actually one of the band's biggest hits. Dan Peek actually hadn't been with the group since the late '70s; he left to explore a career in Christian music. Hear the original studio version on YouTube. Hear Dan Peek's re-worked solo recording on YouTube. Watch a live performance/music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rammstein - Weißes Fleisch My song pick two years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Space Into/Fly Like An Eagle My song pick three years ago today: The Delgados - The Light Before We Land +

1439 Rin' - Fuhen From: Jikū , Year: 2004 Genre: Traditional Japanese/J-Pop I had the melody of this extremely beautiful song running through my mind this morning and I knew I had to make it my pick for today. I first heard this song playing on the ending credits of the Animé Samurai 7 , which was an adaptation of the Akira Kurosawa masterpiece film The Seven Samuari . I immediately fell in love with this song upon hearing it for the first time; it is kind of a fusion of Traditional Japanese and modern Pop/Rock music. The three members of the band played traditional Japanese instruments and in this song in particular both the Koto and Biwa are very prominent; I've always loved the sound of the Koto. Hear Fuhen on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Cream - Badge My song pick two years ago today: Steeleye Span - Seven Hundred Elves My song pick three years ago today: Billy Joel - Prelude/Angry Young Man +

1438 Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds From: Suspicious Minds (Single), Year: 1969 Genre: Rock & Roll/Soul I've had this one running through my mind over the last couple of days and figured it would be an excellent time to pick a track from 'The King.' I've always liked a lot of Elvis' music and this is one of my favourites in particular; an excellent song all the way around. Watch a video with the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance circa '73 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Grace My song pick two years ago today: John Denver - Season Suite: Summer My song pick three years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - The Window +

1437 King Crimson - Sleepless From: Three of a Perfect Pair , Year: 1984 Genre: Progressive Rock I felt like some King Crimson for today's pick; after a bit of thought I decided to go with this song from their '84 Three of a Perfect Pair album. This track features an awesome slap bass line from Mr. Tony Levin. Hear Sleepless on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Johann Sebastian Bach - BWV 703 - Fughetta: Gottes-Sohn ist Kommen My song pick two years ago today: What Made Milwaukee Famous - Sultan My song pick three years ago today: Arlo - Runaround +

1436 Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Down, Down From: Freeways , Year: 1977 Genre: Hard Rock I'm getting another late Saturday pick in; I really need to quit procrastinating so much on the weekends. Anyway, this is probably my second favourite song off of BTO's Freeways album. This is a rather straight-forward track in their normal Canadian Hard Rock sound with some odd lyrics. Hear Down, Down on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Savatage - The Ocean My song pick two years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Serenade My song pick three years ago today: Ben E. King - Spanish Harlem +

1435 Joe Satriani - Surfing With The Alien From: Surfing With The Alien , Year: 1987 Genre: Rock I had no idea what I was going to pick this morning. I realized that I had not chosen a Joe Satriani yet; wow 1434 songs into this voyage and no Joe Satriani? Shame on me. Okay, so here's one of my favourites; it's essentially a 4:00 bombastic guitar solo: pure awesomeness. Hear Surfing With The Alien on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Moody Blues - The Dream My song pick two years ago today: Azteca - What'cha Gonna Do? My song pick three years ago today: Slaughter - Fly to the Angels +

1434 Missing Link - Filled Up From: Nevergreen! , Year: 1972 Genre: Progressive Rock/Jazz Rock I was in need of some more Prog Rock this morning; I noticed that I have only chosen one track from this incredible band, so here's another. I love the complexity of this song as well as the riffs used throughout. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Hawkwind - The Church My song pick two years ago today: Quincy Jones - Walking in Space My song pick three years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - Dreamer +

1433 "Weird Al" Yankovic - I Think I'm a Clone Now From: Even Worse , Year: 1988 Genre: Comedy/Parody Yesterday the original version of the song that this song is a parody of came on the radio; I couldn't help but have "Weird Al's" lyrics running through my mind. After that I thought this "Weird Al" track would be a good pick for today. This track is actually based off of Tiffany's cover of the Tommy James' track I Think We're Alone Now ; it was quite big at the time he released his Even Worse album. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Primus - Pork Chop's Little Ditty My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - For Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me My song pick three years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Shooting Shark +

1432 Hawkwind - Chronoglide Skyway From: Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music , Year: 1976 Genre: Space Rock I had another couple of songs in mind this morning, but alas, YouTube didn't have them available. So, I went to one of my standbys for today's pick: Hawkwind! I've always loved bands like Hawkwind that give you music that is different and amazing on so many levels. This is a real nice ethereal instrumental piece, which closes out the album quite nicely. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Yes - Five Per Cent for Nothing My song pick two years ago today: Megumi Hayashibara - Fly Me to the Moon My song pick three years ago today: Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Pedal Up +

1431 Van der Graaf Generator - Childlike Faith In Childhood's End From: Still Life , Year: 1976 Genre: Progressive Rock I've been meaning to pick a track from Van der Graaf Generator for a few years now, but for some reason I never got around to it; most of the time it was because I couldn't find the song I had in mind on YouTube. VdGG is one of the prog/rock bands that most have probably not heard of unless he/she is a fan of progressive rock. Anyway, this 12-minute "magnum opus" off of their '76 Still Life album was inspired by the Arthur C. Clarke novel Childhood's End , which is another one of my favourite Science Fiction books. Hear Childlike Faith In Childhood's End on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Billie Holiday - Gloomy Sunday My song pick two years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra - Ticket To The Moon My song pick three years ago today: ABBA - So Long +

1430 Rush - Not Fade Away From: Not Fade Away (Single), Year: 1973 Genre: Rock About to put an extremely busy weekend to bed; it's one of those weekends where you start to look forward to the workweek. Anyway, I heard Rush's cover of the Buddy Holly classic whilst on road today. This single was recorded early in the band's existence and predates their first album. Hear Not Fade Away on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Steeleye Span - Shaking of the Sheets My song pick two years ago today: Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face My song pick three years ago today: Taj Mahal - Fishin' Blues +

1429 Iron Maiden - Where Eagles Dare From: Piece of Mind , Year: 1983 Genre: Metal It's been a real busy day and I'm extremely tired, so for today I'm picking one of my favourite Iron Maiden songs. Hear Where Eagles Dare on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Yes - Yours Is No Disgrace My song pick two years ago today: Herbie Hancock - Sly My song pick three years ago today: Foreigner - Long, Long Way From Home +

1428 Mr. Big - Undertow   From: What If... , Year: 2010 Genre: Hard Rock I had this track running through my mind this morning and, like I normally do with songs I like getting stuck in my mind, I took it as a sign that I should pick it. Anyway, over the last few months Mr. Big's What If... album has become one of my favourites from their catalogue; in my opinion it's right up there with Lean Into It and Bump Ahead . This song is the main single off of the album. Watch the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rush - In The End My song pick two years ago today: Led Zeppelin - Kashmir My song pick three years ago today: The Kinks - Sunny Afternoon +

1427 Banchee - Iceberg From; Thinkin' , Year: 1970 Genre: Hard Rock/Psychedelia I just felt like picking another tune from Banchee this morning. This is one of my favourites from the band; it hails from their second and final album. Out of the two that they released I have found myself gravitating more towards this album; it's a bit more technical than the first one in my opinion. I love the musicianship and the vocal harmonies throughout this song. Hear Iceberg on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: ZZ Top - Manic Mechanic My song pick two years ago today: Santo & Johnny - Sleepwalk My song pick three years ago today: Phil Collins - I Wish It Would Rain Down +

1426 Ome Henk - Neem Een Ander In De Maling (Barbie Girl) From: Ome Henk Laat Zich Niet Kisten! , Year: 1997 Genre: Comedy/Parody Max is currently in the midst of a theme week about songs misattributed to "Weird Al" Yankovic. Almost a year ago I did a theme week based on one of my pet peeves of a similar nature: songs misattributed to the German group Rammstein . Anyway, with Max doing his theme week it brought this track back from the recesses of my brain and I figured it would make an excellent pick. When I saw this song credited to Rammstein it almost made me bang my head against my computer's screen. I mean, for crying out loud in the dead of the night, it sounds absolutely nothing like Rammstein and it's sung in Dutch, not German! I have to chalk this up to ignorant people from North America hearing a song sung in a Northern European language and moronically giving one of the only bands they know from Europe credit for it. This song is a parody of...

1425 Alice in Chains - Would? From: Dirt , Year: 1992 Genre: Metal/ Alternative/ Grunge I had an itching to listen to Alice in Chains' Dirt album this morning. I almost chose Rooster , but when I heard this track I knew I had my pick for today; it's one of my favourites. I remember hearing this song a lot back in the '90s, even to this day it gets a lot of play, even on Classic Rock stations; okay, now I'm just making myself feel old again. Anyway, this one moves along quite nicely, it's probably one of their more main stream accessible tracks. Watch the music video on YouTube. Watch a live performance from Later... with Jools Holland circa '93 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rammstein - Jeder lacht My song pick two years ago today: Rammstein - Ein Leid My song pick three years ago today: Eric Clapton - My Father's Eyes +

1424 Bad Company - Silver, Blue & Gold From: Run With The Pack , Year: 1976 Genre: Rock This track happened to pop into my mind this morning; I actually haven't heard it in some time. As usual, I took it as a sign I should make it my song pick for today. This is actually one of my favourites from the band. I love how they launch into majors in the chorus from the mellow verses; it gives it a very nice hook. Hear the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance of the song circa '02 with Run With The Pack as well on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Louis Armstrong - We Have All The Time In The World My song pick two years ago today: The Yardbirds - Smokestack Lightning My song pick three years ago today: Eric Clapton - Pretending +

1423 Chet Atkins - Tears From: Chet Atkins Picks the Best , Year: 1967 Genre: Gypsy Jazz Actually getting my Sunday pick in at a decent hour for a change this evening. I can remember my grandfather playing this tune a lot throughout my life, so much that it is probably permanently embedded in my brain; he could play this one note-for-note. Anyway, this one is Chet Atkins' cover of the old Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli tune; he does an excellent job with it. Hear the studio version on YouTube. Here is a newer recording of the song featuring both Chet and Mark Knopfler on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Fleetwood Mac - Tusk My song pick two years ago today: Fairport Convention - Tam Lin My song pick three years ago today: Cream - Tales of Brave Ulysses +

1422 Red Hot Chili Peppers - Otherside From: Californication , Year: 1999 Genre: Alternative Rock I'm picking some Red Hot Chili Peppers for my Saturday song pick. This is probably my favourite song off of the album and the main reason I picked up Californication . This is one of those songs that I fell in love with before it finished playing the first time I heard it. I absolutely loved the surrealistic video to this song as well, it was quite entertaining to watch. Watch the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance circa '06 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Cruachan - The Gael My song pick two years ago today: Jim Croce - Alabama Rain My song pick three years ago today: Derek and the Dominos (Eric Clapton) - Bell Bottom Blues +

1421 Rush - Countdown From: Signals , Year: 1982 Genre: Progressive Rock I watched the final space shuttle launch this morning. It was such a historic and yet depressing moment at the same time knowing that the U.S. has essentially all but given up on manned space flight, but oh well, what do I know. At least manned exploration of space will continue through the private sector, European Space Agency, Russian Space Agency, and probably China. Anyway, I had quite a few songs in mind for my pick on this occasion, but unsurprisingly I ended up with this apropos track from one of my favourite bands. This one was written about a launch of the space shuttle Colombia that the members of the band witness first hand. This is a synth-heavy track that features samples from actual communication between the shuttle and command. Hear the studio version on YouTube. Watch a music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Mungo Jerry - In the Summertime My song pick two y...

1420 Don McLean - Vincent From: American Pie , Year: 1971 Genre: Folk I've had this rather beautiful track running through my mind most of last night and this morning. This is, of course, a song about the great artist Vincent Van Gogh and his works; Don McLean's lyrics are incredible throughout. Actually, the first version of this song I heard was Julio Iglesias' cover, which can be found here on YouTube ; I liked it a lot. Only later I was able to hear Don McLean's original version, which I like quite a lot as well. Watch a fan video with the studio version on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Eric Burdon and War - Spill the Wine My song pick two years ago today: Supertramp - School My song pick three years ago today: Steely Dan - Do It Again +

1419 Béla Fleck & The Flecktones - Big Country From: Left of Cool , Year: 1998 Genre: Jazz Fusion/Other I had one of those 'duh' moments this morning; I noticed that I hadn't picked this, one of my favourite Béla Fleck tunes, yet. Well, at that point it became very apparent which song I was choosing. This is a truly awesome instrumental piece; there's so much feeling in this one to go along with the usual supremely high level of musicianship. Watch the performance + interview from Live at the Quick on YouTube. Watch a live performance from Bonnaroo 2011 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: ABBA - When All is Said and Done My song pick two years ago today: Hawkwind - Motorhead My song pick three years ago today: Savatage - Can You Hear Me Now +

1418 Johnny Rivers - Muddy River From: Slim Slo Slider , Year: 1970 Genre: Pop/Rock A bit ago my Dad reintroduced this cool Johnny Rivers song to me; I hadn't heard it in ages. I love the chord choices and progression as well as the horn arrangements; it's truly an awesome track. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Steeleye Span - Padstow My song pick two years ago today: Rush - Lakeside Park My song pick three years ago today: Bon Jovi - Every Day +

1417 Rush - Alien Shore From: Counterparts , Year: 1993 Genre: Progressive Rock I felt like picking a song from Rush this morning. For no reason I just grabbed the Counterparts album and picked the first track that I felt like listening to; it's one of my favourites on the album. While the Counterparts album is not my favourite album from their catalogue, it's definitely good one. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Thin Lizzy - The Boys Are Back In Town My song pick two years ago today: Bon Jovi - My Guitar Lies Bleeding In My Arms My song pick three years ago today: Three Dog Night - An Old Fashioned Love Song +

1416 Steeleye Span - Dark-Eyed Sailor From: Hark! The Village Wait , Year: 1970 Genre: Electric Folk Rock I guess I'm getting my pick in just under the wire again, or so it would seem. Anyway, here's a rather nice track off of Steeleye Span's debut album. As you might expect, this is their take on another traditional Folk song. I quite love their arrangement in this one, especially Ashley Hutchings' bass and, of course, Maddy Prior's vocals. Hear Dark-Eyed Sailor on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Police - The King of Pain My song pick two years ago today: Chet Atkins - Yakety Axe My song pick three years ago today: Benjamin Britten - War Requiem +

1415 Banchee - The Night is Calling From: Banchee , Year 1969 Genre: Hard Rock/Psychedelia For the last few days I've been listening to a lot of music from Banchee, so I figured I should add another one of their songs to my list. This is one of those bands I just fell in love with the first time I heard them; it's a shame that they only managed to record just two albums. This is the first track off of their first album. It's a rather nice mellow tune; excellent music and lyrics throughout. Hear The Night is Calling on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Band of Horses - Cigarettes, Wedding Bands My song pick two years ago today: Bread - Guitar Man My song pick three years ago today: America - A Horse With No Name +

1414 The Jimmy Castor Bunch - E-Man Groovin' From: E-Man Groovin' , Year 1976 Genre: Funk I'm quickly getting a my song pick in on this super busy Friday. I figured I'd make this a " Funky Friday " selection with this track from the incomparable Jimmy Castor Bunch. Apparently all of the video with the songs have been removed from YouTube, sorry. My song pick a year ago today: Led Zeppelin - D'yer Mak'er My song pick two years ago today: Arthur Smith - Guitar Boogie My song pick three years ago today: Band of Horses - Ode To LRC +