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

1662 Cheech & Chong - Cheborneck From: Los Cochinos , Year: 1973 Genre: Comedy Looks like we're getting an extra day this February; quite frankly with how much snow we've gotten March can't come quick enough. Anyway, last night we got gifted with almost another foot of snow, and it's still coming down. This morning when I was out shoveling the snow this rather hilarious Cheech & Chong skit started running through my mind. So, as I always do, I took it as a sign it should be my pick; yeah, I know it's not a song, but I'm picking it anyway. Hear the skit on YouTube. (NSFW) My leap year pick on 2.29.08: ABBA - The Visitors +

1661 Pallas - Heart Attack From: The Sentinel , Year: 1984 Genre: Progressive Rock It has been a very busy day and just now am finally getting around to making my pick. Anyway, I've been listening to this album a lot lately and thought I would pick a second song off of it back-to-back, which is something I normally don't do. This is one of the songs that wasn't originally released on the album, but was resurrected for the album's re-release as a proper concept album as intended. As with any good eight minute prog piece, this one goes all over the place musically complete with signature changes and complex melodies and counter lines; this song in particular reminds me a wee bit of the music from Rush just prior the Moving Pictures period. In the overall concept album's story this one takes place long after the fall of Atlantis and is about the spirits of the long-dead nation looking on present day man and seeing him make the same mistakes that led to their demise. H...

1660 Pallas - Ark of Infinity From: The Sentinel , Year: 1984 Genre: Progressive Rock I remember hearing and liking Pallas back in the day, but I had totally forgot about the band until I happened upon some of their material. It's a shame that they are not as widely known as many other progressive rock bands, but I guess that's what happens for most progressive acts that formed in the hostile musical environment after the '70s. This album, The Sentinel, was originally supposed to be a full concept album based on the story of Atlantis, at least the band's take on it. However, as with a lot of times when the record company gets involved, it didn't get originally released as intended. What ended up was some 'radio friendly' tracks were added and songs from the concept were omitted and the remaining tracks were also placed out of order. Later, however, the band was able to re-release it as it was intended. Anyway, this is the closing track for the story and fea...

1659 The Doobie Brothers - It Keeps You Runnin' From: Takin' it to the Streets , Year: 1976 Genre: Rock I've been wanting to pick this song for a long time now, but every time I was intending on picking it there wasn't a YouTube video available. The other day I happened to check once again and low and behold someone had put it up on YouTube. Takin' it to the Streets was a .5¢ 8-Track cassette that I bought in a box full of tapes. This song in particular was a surprise for me when it came on the first time. The synth opening immediately will give you the feeling that you're playing an old school 8-bit video game; it sounds very similar to the music one would hear playing in the background. It doesn't take long for the rest of the band to kick in, however, the funky groove of the electronic music remains as the song's backbone all of the way through. Hear It Keeps You Runnin' on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Steeleye Span - The Mooncoin Jig ...

1658 Cheap Trick - Don't Be Cruel From: Lap of Luxury , Year: 1988 Genre: Rock/Rock 'N Roll I heard this cover of the classic Elvis song a bit ago and it has been running through my head off and on ever since; I thought I would go ahead and make it my pick for this Saturday. Here is the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rufus & Chaka Khan - Tell Me Something Good My song pick two years ago today: Freddie Taylor and His Swing Men from Harlem - Viper's Dream My song pick three years ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - Pow My song pick four years ago today - Ricky Nelson - Garden Party +

1657 Cybotron - Arrakis From: Cybotron , Year: 1976 Genre: Progressive Rock/Electronic Rock I discovered this Australian experimental prog/rock band with heavy German electronic rock influence the other day and was pleasantly surprised by what I heard. However, I have to admit, I probably wouldn't have listened to it if wasn't for the interesting album artwork, (70s Progressive Rock bands have always had the most awesome artwork), but I'm certainly glad that I did. Finding the particulars about this band has been slightly difficult due to there being another American Techno band that goes by the same name; they formed roughly five years after this band was, which was about the time they'd broken up. You can find out more about the original Cybotron here on Prog Archives . They're very much a band that you wouldn't want to play in mixed company; I already know what I'd hear from other people: "What the Hell is this! You can't dance to it!" Yeah...

1656 Kreeps - Bad Voodoo From: Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Original Soundtrack , Year: 2010 Genre: Surf Rock I heard this song the other day and immediately liked it. Apparently it was recorded specifically for the Undead Nightmare game by a band called Kreeps. It has a vintage Surf Rock sound with an excellent creepy feel and horror subject matter; it plays as you are embarking on the game's final mission. Hear Bad Voodoo on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: David Bowie - Up the Hill Backwards My song pick two years ago today: Fairport Convention - Who Knows Where The Time Goes My song pick three years ago today: Savatage - Sleep My song pick four years ago today: The Beatles - Across The Universe +

1655 Duran Duran - (Reach Up for the) Sunrise From: Astronaut , Year: 2004 Genre: Rock/Pop/New Wave I hadn't listened to this Duran Duran album in a while and for some reason this morning I got into the mood to hear it again. It was the last album with all of the main band members present and if I remember right it was a pretty successful record. Anyway, this is the lead-off track and is also, I believe, the album's biggest hit. It has a sound and feel very reminiscent of their popular material from the '80s. Here is the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Offspring - Gone Away My song pick two years ago today: Converge - Cruel Bloom My song pick three years ago today: Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids - She's So Fine My song pick four years ago today: Lobo - A Big Red Kite +

1654 Rush - Closer to the Heart From: A Farewell to Kings , Year: 1977 Genre: Progressive Rock/Hard Rock Having a rather busy day today, so I thought I would just, as my aunt would say, 'homer out' and make an easy pick from one of my top favourite bands. I suppose you could say that this was the main hit off of A Farewell to Kings , which was Rush's follow up to their epic 2112 . Another song with a great mix of light acoustic, electronic, and heavy guitar music; a true delight to the ear. I remember back when I was in college one of my music teachers had me pick and critique songs as part of the curriculum; this was the first song that I did. Watch the music video on YouTube. Watch the live performance from Exit... Stage Left on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Johannes Brahms - Op. #45 - (A German Requiem, To Words of the Holy Scriptures) My song pick two years ago today: Heart - Love Alive My song pick three years ago today: Gregg Allman - I'm No Angel My so...

1653 Genesis - The Knife From: Trespass , Year: 1970 Genre: Progressive Rock/Hard Rock I had a hankering for some early Genesis this morning whilst I start my day. This is one of my favourite tracks off of their second album, just prior to Phil Collins joining the band. This one goes all over the place musically, which is an aspect I love in a lot of music I normally listen to. I love how they mixed the lighter and heavier sounds in this incredible 9 minute rock opus. Hear The Knife on YouTube. Here is a live recording circa '73 on YouTube. They sound as good if not better than in the studio version in my opinion. My song pick a year ago today: Spaghetti Western Orchestra - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly My song pick two years ago today: Jerry Reed - Wabash Cannonball My song pick three years ago today: Ray Stevens - Gitarzan My song pick four years ago today: REO Speedwagon - Back on the Road Again +

1652 Soundgarden - I Awake From: Louder Than Love , Year: 1989 Genre: Metal/Grunge I thought I would try to actually get today's pick in at a decent time of the day for a change. I felt like listening to some Soundgarden today and this rather nice, heavy, and somewhat awkward sounding track seemed like an excellent one to pick today. Hear I Awake on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Dream Theater - The Big Medley My song pick two years ago today: Wilson Pickett - Hey Jude My song pick three years ago today: Johnny Mandel - Suicide is Painless (Theme from M*A*S*H) My song pick four years ago today: Rush - Vital Signs +

1651 Queensrÿche - Jet City Woman From: Empire , Year: 1990 Genre: Progressive Metal I notice that these weekend picks seem to always be later in the day; I should try getting them in sooner. Anyway, I was messing around with this song today on my bass; I hadn't played it in ages, so it was fun getting re-acquainted with it again. Even though this is one of their more mainstream offerings, it still is an awesome record and song. I think I've said it before in other posts, but Empire was one of the first albums I'd bought on the Compact Disc format. This song in particular is an incredible driving song; I remember driving to Empire a lot in my Datsun Z, which also coincidentally was the first car I owned equipped with a CD player. At times if I wasn't paying attention my foot got heaver when this track came on; there were some times when I ended up doing well over 100 while it was playing. Now that brings back some fun memories! Watch the music video on YouTube. Here i...

1650 Simon & Garfunkel - Richard Cory From: Sounds of Silence , Year: 1966 Genre: Folk Rock This song dislodged itself from the recesses of my mind the other day and I hadn't heard it in ages; isn't it weird how that happens sometimes? Anyway, this classic track was based off of a poem of the same name written by Edwin Arlington Robinson in the year 1897. The song's lyrics diverge a bit from the original poem; they were written from the perspective of a poor man who works in the factory of a very wealthy man named Richard Cory. He curses his life of poverty and envies the life of his boss who apparently has everything he could ever want. Both the song and the poem end the same way with Richard Cory taking his own life and how the man telling the story can't fathom why a man who had everything would do himself in. As always Simon and Garfunkel do an excellent job in their delivery of the narrative through their excellent musical style. Here is the studio version on Y...

1649 Porcupine Tree - Dark Matter From: Signify , Year: 1996 Genre: Progressive Rock Max and I were briefly discussing Porcupine Tree and I realized that I had not picked one of their songs yet, so today I'm taking care of that. While I haven't had a lot of exposure to the band outside of the songs that Max has picked, from what I've heard of them thus far this song in particular has become one of my favourites. I love the complex and melodic sound of this track; there is so much to listen to that you really can't take it all in without listening to it more than a few times. Hear Dark Matter on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Robin Trower - Bridge of Sighs My song pick two years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the Devil My song pick three years ago today: The Moody Blues - OM My song pick four years ago today: Jon Oliva's Pain - Guardian Of Forever +

1648 Dire Straits - Money for Nothing From: Brothers in Arms , Year: 1985 Genre: Rock Last night whilst I was on the road I had the radio on and this song happened to come on; I was taken aback when I heard them mute certain words out. I mean, for crying out loud in the dead of the night, I've been listening to this song for nearly 30 years and only now those clodding pillocks have decided that some words that've been fine in the past are now too strong to hear on the radio even at 1:00 in the morning. Yeah, I know that the word in question is derogatory to certain people, but taken in the context of it being spoken by an ignorant man critiquing a rock star and not a group of people I personally see no issue with it. I've been noticing this has been getting worse and many songs that have been played unedited for over 40 years have all of a sudden been censored all to hell; yeah, freedom of speech my foot! I just wonder if they're thinking about applying this witch hunt ...

1647 Dream Theater - On the Backs of Angels From: A Dramatic Turn of Events , Year: 2011 Genre: Progressive Metal Yesterday Max informed me that Dream Theater was nominated for a Grammy Award for this song and he picked it as well . He probably said something about it earlier and it slipped my mind; I've never really followed award shows, so it's not a real surprise. Of course, as expected for any band with the 'Progressive' label bestowed upon them, they didn't win and instead it went to The Foo Fighters. They probably did deserve winning it and I do like The Foo Fighters, so not all's bad; with that being said, however, I've grown to dislike Dave Grohl. Who knows, maybe getting nominated and not getting an award is some sort of 'cred' for a 'Prog' band, although I usually find that bands such as Dream Theater do what they do not with awards in mind, but for the music and, of course, their fans. What I do find odd is that the get a little re...

1646 Sly and the Family Stone - Hot Fun in the Summertime From: Greatest Hits , Year: 1970 Genre: Soul/Funk/Rock I'm getting tired of looking out and seeing dank and dreary grey that late winter brings. So today I'm attempting to remedy that by at least mentally envisioning some much nicer weather and I thought that listening to some appropriate music would help that along. After listening to this awesome track I knew I had my pick for today. Hear Hot Fun in the Summertime on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Glenn Miller - In The Mood My song pick two years ago today: Tarot - Ashes To The Stars My song pick three years ago today: Goo Goo Dolls - Broadway My song pick four years ago today: The Offspring - Come Out And Play +

1645 Jethro Tull - Jump Start From: Crest of a Knave , Year: 1987 Genre: Progressive Rock/Hard Rock It feels good to bring this long day to a close; I guess I should make my pick before I call it a day. Anyway, I heard this song when I was on the road; I thought it would be an excellent pick for today. While it's one of their heavier songs off the album, it also has its lighter, acoustical aspects as well. One of the best parts of the song for me personally is Ian Anderson and Martin Barre's flute and guitar solo; the softer flute contrasts, but also blends quite nicely with the blazing guitar. Watch the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Chet Atkins - Trambone My song pick two years ago today: John Denver - Wildflower in a Mason Jar My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - Locomotive Breath My song pick four years ago today: Rammstein - Spieluhr +

1644 Stratovarius - Wings of Tomorrow From: Dreamspace , Year: 1994 Genre: Power Metal/Progressive Metal Coincidentally today's pick number, 1644, is also the birth year of the famous master luthier Antonio Stradivari, who is probably better known by the Latinized version of his name: Stradivarius, which is also how people refer to the instruments he created. I was going to choose a violin piece for today, but I happened to remember this aptly named Finnish Metal band that derived their name from the master instrument maker; I thought this song from the band would make an excellent pick for today anyway. They are yet another band that I thought for sure I had picked at some time, but hadn't. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Serpentine Fire My song pick two years ago today: Manuel de Falla - Danza Del Terror ( Dance of Terror ) My song pick three years ago today: Dire Straits - Lady Writer My song pick four years ag...

1643 Earth, Wind & Fire - Fantasy From: All 'n All , Year: 1977 Genre: R&B/Disco I had this rather catchy tune on my mind this morning and thought I'd make it my pick. I really like the intro and how much it contrasts with the rest of the song, which is somewhat light with very tight harmonies. Hear the studio version on YouTube. Watch a live performance of the song circa '88 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Miles Davis - Freddie Freeloader My song pick two years ago today: Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli (Quintette du Hot Club de France) - Liza ( All the Clouds'll Roll Away ) My song pick three years ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Little Wing My song pick four years ago today: Jethro Tull - Said She Was A Dancer +

1641-2 Quasar - Fanfare/Seeing Stars From: Fire in the Sky , Year: 1981 Genre: Progressive Rock It still amazes me how every now and then I remember bands that I like and should've picked a song from at some time in the last four years of doing this blog. Maybe I should try to do a theme week covering bands that I like and haven't picked yet. Anyway, for those who haven't heard of the band, they are what some refer to as part of 'the second wave' of Progressive Rock bands, or 'Neo-Progressive Rock,' which are essentially Progressive Rock bands that got their start right around 1980. One of the main aspects that bands of this ilk, including Quasar, incorporated were the new ideas and sounds that were coming out of genres such as New Wave. To me, on this song in particular they sound a lot like a mix between the sounds of Styx and Electric Light Orchestra with maybe some 'Bowie thrown in for good measure. Fanfare , which is the intro/overture of the albu...

1640 The Beatles - In My Life From: Rubber Soul , Year: 1965 Genre: Pop/Rock I thought for sure that I had chosen this, one of my favourite tracks from the band sometime in the past, but apparently not. Even though it is crammed into a radio-friendly 2 and a half minutes, it contains just as many interesting musical ideas as some song twice or three times its length. I guess it's kind of what I've heard referred to as a "transistor glamour," i.e. something that contains everything that's needed, but is contained in a small, compact package. Anyway, although I like the entire piece, my favourite part has to be the sped-up piano solo that was intentionally written to sound in the style of J.S. Bach. Hear In My Life on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Fairport Convention - She Moves Through the Fair My song pick two years ago today: Uriah Heep - Gypsy My song pick three years ago today: T-Rex - Bang a Gong ( Get it On ) My song pick four years ago today: Sav...

1639 Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Rock Is My Life, and This Is My Song From: Not Fragile , Year: 1974 Genre: Hard Rock It felt like a perfect day for some of BTO's brand of riff based Canadian Hard Rock. This is one of their songs that features a lighter sound in the verses along with exquisite clean guitar and Randy Bachman singing lead. However in the chorus they kick in with their full signature Hard Rock and C.F. Turner joins in on vocals to give it more grit, which provides a nice hook. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance from a couple of years ago on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Genesis - Watcher of the Skies My song pick two years ago today: Jim Croce - These Dreams My song pick three years ago today: Alice Cooper - No More Mr. Nice Guy My song pick four years ago today: Savatage - Tonight He Grins Again +

1638 Fairport Convention - Dawn From: Rising for the Moon , Year: 1975 Genre: Folk Rock/Rock For some reason I just felt like listening to some Fairport this morning. I noticed that I hadn't chosen a song off of their Rising for the Moon album yet, so I went ahead and picked this one, which is one of my favourites. It's quite a beautiful and dynamic song; they do a good job transitioning between the softer and delicate sound and kicking in with the harder sound when needed. While this one's not one of their adaptations of a traditional tune, it contains some aspects from songs of that type. This was also the last Fairport album to feature the incomparable Sandy Denny, of course she was amazing as ever. Hear Dawn on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Alive and Well and Living In My song pick two years ago today: .38 Special - Chain Lightnin' My song pick three years ago today: Cream - Swlabr My song pick four years ago today: Three Dog Night - Celebr...

1637 The Drifters - Under the Boardwalk From: Under the Boardwalk (Single), Year: 1964 Genre: Soul/Pop/Doo-Wop For most of the day I've had this rather upbeat and hooky song running through my mind. Since I really like it and the song's overall relaxing feeling fit today I thought I'd pick it. I love the whole Latin flavoured Doo-Wop and that laid back rhythm; it's such a cool track. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is an alternate studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Yoko Takahashi - Zankoku na Tenshi no These ( A Cruel Angel's Thesis ) My song pick two years ago today: Aphrodite's Child - Hic et Nunc My song pick three years ago today: Elton John - All The Girls Love Alice My song pick four years ago today: Rush - The Body Electric +

1636 The Animals - House of the Rising Sun From: The Animals . Year: 1964 Genre: Rock/Blues Rock/Folk Rock Well, between spending some quality time with my 5 year old son and getting some writing done I figured I would make my song pick today and bring my theme week to a close as well. This often-covered traditional song is most likely The Animals' most popular and one of my favourites from the band. Even though they had many other hits to their name, it's still the song you would first think of when you think of the band. I've loved their version since I first heard it long ago; From what I understand they actually got their inspiration from Bob Dylan's version, which was recorded a couple of years earlier. Bob Dylan's version can be found here on YouTube. Watch a music video clip on YouTube. Anyway, if anyone's interested, I guess I should reveal what my theme week was: essentially this theme week had to do with the meter (the beat) of the songs...

1635 Primus - Here Come the Bastards From: Sailing the Seas of Cheese , Year: 1991 Genre: Hard Rock/Alternative Rock/Funk I was thinking about picking another song today, but I remembered that I was in the midst of a theme week. Anyway, this is my sixth pick in my mystery theme week and I knew this one would fit perfectly, plus today feels like a good day for some Primus. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a recent live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Ringo Starr - It Don't Come Easy My song pick two years ago today: Molly Hatchet - Fall of the Peacemakers My song pick three years ago today: Don Mclean - American Pie My song pick four years ago today: Jethro Tull - Later, That Same Evening +

1634 Led Zeppelin - Rock and Roll From: Led Zeppelin IV ( ZoSo ), Year: 1971 Genre: Hard Rock/Rock 'N Roll I'm on to day five of my mystery theme week and for today's pick I felt like listening to some Led Zeppelin. Only in recent years have I been able to truly enjoy much of Led Zeppelin's music; in the past I have felt like they were being forced down my throat, and thus it made me grow to dislike the band more than a bit. However, since I've not listened radio that much anymore I've slowly been getting into the band and their music. One of the most interesting aspects that I've found about them is that they were able to dabble in and across a few Rock genres and not pay the price of doing so like many others have. I mean, hell they were one of the bands that wrote Progressive Hard Rock and it was eaten up and adored to this day by the mainstream and pop culture, which doesn't happen that often if at all. Anyway, even when I didn't really care for...

1633 The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Manic Depression From: Are You Experienced , Year: 1967 Genre: Hard Rock/Psychedelic Rock/Blues Rock I'm on to my fourth pick of my mystery theme week. This is a rather interesting and quite a fun song to play along with. I absolutely love how it was constructed; while on the surface it sounds and feels a bit disjointed, it fits together very nicely to make a truly awesome song. Hear Manic Depression on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jon Oliva's Pain - Through the Eyes of the King My song pick two years ago today: Nora Bayes - The Japanese Sandman My song pick three years ago today: Queen - We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions My song pick four years ago today: The Little River Band - Reminiscing +