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

From: From Genesis to Revelation (Reissue); Year: 1969; Genre: Rock/Pop Since I grew up mostly hearing the Genesis from the '80s early on I never really had any exposure to the material with Peter Gabriel at the microphone. It wasn't until about a decade or so ago that really made an effort to hear Genesis' earlier stuff. I think the first time I heard this early single, which was later added to reissues of their debut album, I was taken aback by the overall "poppy" sound. It's amazing to hear Genesis with a sound similar to many other beat and "top 40" groups of the time period. Hear A Winter's Tale on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Chet Atkins - Drive In My song pick two years ago today: Letzte Instanz - Für Immer Und Ewig My song pick three years ago today: Ian Anderson - A Raft of Penguins My song pick four years ago today: John Denver - Jimmy Newman +

From: In the Court of the Crimson King ; Year: 1969; Genre: Progressive Rock I had a urge to listen to some rather big and bombastic music today; here's one that fits the bill quite well. This song, which is just under 10 minutes in length, is broken up into two sections: The Return of the Fire Witch , and The Dance of the Puppets . It's quite interesting to say the least, kind of an amalgamation of many different sounds and styles of the music. Definitely something you'd expect from one of the granddaddies of Progressive Rock. Hear The Court of the Crimson King on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Yours Truly, 2095 My song pick two years ago today: Stahlhammer - Herz Aus Stahl My song pick three years ago today: America - Sister Golden Hair My song pick four years ago today: Fleetwood Mac - Little Lies +

From: Candlebox ; Year: 1993; Genre: Alternative Rock I had this song running through my mind this morning, it seemed like a good match for the day, so I'll go ahead and make it my pick. Today this song has become somewhat maligned in pop culture, but to me it's a good song and is part of the soundtrack from my late teenage years. Although I do have to say it has gotten played far too much over the years. Watch the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Buckethead - Final Wars My song pick two years ago today: Megaherz - Heuchler My song pick three years ago today: Wilson Pickett - Funky Broadway My song pick four years ago today: Oasis - Wonderwall +

From: Tyranny and Mutation ; Year: 1973; Genre: Hard Rock Still getting settled in and am making a rather brief pick today with this straight-up rock and bluesy tune from BÖC. Hear O.D.'d on Life Itself on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Hawkwind - We Took the Wrong Step Years Ago My song pick two years ago today: Oomph! - Das Weiße Licht My song pick three years ago today: Trio of Doom - Dark Prince My song pick four years ago today: Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun +

S.244/2 ; Year: 1847; Genre: Romantic Period/classical It's been rather busy since the move and I've been trying to keep up with my song a day blog as much as possible; I'm really hoping that I am not forced to miss a pick. Anyway, again I am making a pick where the date the song was composed/published happened to coincide with my pick number. 1847 happened to be the year that Liszt composed this rather popular piece of music; I can almost but guarantee that anyone who hears it would immediately recognize it. This one has permeated a lot of pop culture over the last century and will more than likely continue doing so far into the future. Hear Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 on YouTube. Hear an orchestral version of the piece on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Modest Petrovitch Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition My song pick two years ago today: Unheilig - Schutzengel My song pick three year ago today: Jaco Pastorius - Chromatic Fantasy My son...

From: Born on a Pirate Ship ; Year: 1996; Genre: Alternative Rock We're getting finished up with the move today, (mostly giving the place a final cleaning in hope to recover the deposit). I dunno if it's really worth it to give this run down ghetto hell hole a cleaning; it's barely livable as it is and has never been up to fire code. It's amazing to think that my family and I lived in this rat trap for five years; it's truly nice to move on. Anyway, this song fits the situation pretty well. It's about a couple who've moved up in the world going back and breaking into their old apartment to reminisce about living there in an odd way. For me personally, however, once I've handed the keys over I am completely done with this hell hole and will thoroughly enjoy seeing it in my rear-view mirror. Here is the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Rolling Stones - 100 Years Ago My song pick two years ago today: Eisbrecher - M...

From: Brave Belt II ; Year: 1972; Genre: Rock I'm pretty sure many are unaware of the band Brave Belt and what became of them; to sum it up, they essentially became the Canadian Hard Rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Brave Belt was in fact the project that Randy Bachman started up following his departure from The Guess Who along with his brother Rob Bachman and Chad Allen, who was also a former member of The Guess Who. A short time later bassist C.F. Turner and his other brother, Tim Bachman would join up as well and Chad Allen would depart. As Brave Belt they never really took off and with some prodding from their management they changed the band's name to Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Interestingly enough, BTO's debut album was originally intended on being the third Brave Belt album. Who knows, if they had been stubborn perhaps they would've made it big as Brave Belt, but then again who knows? Anyway, this song is quite a bit lighter than what you might expec...

From: No Mystery ; Year: 1975; Genre: Jazz Fusion I'm getting started on what's about to be a very busy weekend with the big move and all. I thought I would get it started by listening to something from the incomparable jazz fusion group Return to Forever. The title of the song is a bit misleading, there really isn't anything "heavy metal" about it other than maybe Al Di Meola's guitar; I'd have to say that it's more of a jazz/funk/rock/disco. For about the first 1/4 of the song it is essentially a Chick Corea jazz/classical piano piece, then the rest of the band kicks in with Al Di Meola doing some impressive lead guitar playing over a disco/funk laid down by Stanley Clarke and Lenny White; they then end the song the way it began with a piano solo. Hear Excerpt from the First Movement of Heavy Metal on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Homer & Jethro - The Billboard Song My song pick two years ago today: Thursday - I1100 ...

Op. 154; Year: 1843; Genre: Romantic Period/classical I'm having a rather busy day, so I'm making kind of a quick pick. I happened to look over what was going on musically in the year 1843, (the number of my song pick today), and noticed this great waltz from Johann Strauss the Elder made its debut. I don't know what it is, but I've always found waltzes quite rousing; they are almost perfect to have playing whilst you work. Hear Lorelei Rhein Klänge on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Puhdys - Hier Oben My song pick two years ago today: Rush - Circumstances My song pick three years ago today: Rammstein - Du Hast My song pick four years ago today: Jethro Tull - Sunshine Day +

Op. 56 ; Year: 1842; Genre: Romantic Period/classical My song pick number is 1842, which is also the year that this rather interesting piece of music first premiered. This, his third symphony, is also known as the Scottish Symphony, this is because of some traditional Scottish musical themes present throughout the piece. From what I understand this piece was started over a decade earlier after Felix Mendelssohn was inspired after a trip to Scotland. Here is the symphony conducted by Peter Maag: Here is the first movement: Andante con moto - Allegro un poco agitato on YouTube. Here is the second movement: Vivace non troppo on YouTube. Here is the third movement: Adagio on YouTube. Here is the fourth movement: Allegro vivacissimo - Allegro maestoso assai on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Deep Purple - Pictures of Home My song pick two years ago today: Heart - If Looks Could Kill My song pick three years ago today: Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man My song pi...

From: Boston ; Year: 1976; Genre: Rock This week just seems to be progressing with all of the pace of a snail; I wish it would just get over already. Anyway, after going through some of my library of Boston music I noticed that I hadn't chosen this song, which is one of my favourites. I thought for sure that I had chosen it at some time, I must've been wrong. This is one of those tracks that was done without any compromise; one of my favourite parts is the massively overdubbed guitar solo at the end of the song. This song is one of the hits singles from their hit-laden debut album and like all of the other tracks from the album, it gets a bit radio play to this day. Interestingly enough, this is one of the tracks that Tom Scholz had been working on in the studio for a couple of years prior to signing his record deal. Hear Peace of Mind on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Weezer - Buddy Holly My song pick two years ago today: Rammstein - Ich Will M...

From: Songs from the Wood ; Year: 1977; Genre: Progressive Rock/Folk Rock This morning I've been playing some stuff from Jethro Tull's late 70's album trilogy. This song comes off the first one, Songs from the Wood , and I guess you could call this song the main single. I've always liked the mix of acoustic and the traditional folk elements with the heavier rock elements; it gives this song quite a bit of distinction even amongst its counterparts. One of the more interesting parts of this song is its structure; they use a verse/chorus/solo pattern all the way through the song with Ian Anderson soloing on a tin whistle between the end of the chorus and back into the verse. Hear The Whistler on YouTube. Here is the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Maurice Ravel - M.19 - Pavane for a Dead Princess My song pick two years ago today: Black Label Society - Stillborn My song pick three years ago today: Lynyrd Skynyrd - I Never Dreamed...

From: Led Zeppelin IV (ZoSo) ; Year: 1971; Genre: Hard Rock For some reason the wife and I were talking about 'Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page this morning and it got me in the mood to pick a Led Zeppelin song for today's pick. I believe that I mentioned in previous picks about how I used to not like hearing their music as much due to them being massively overplayed on the radio. However, during that stretch there were a few of their songs that were exceptions; this was one of them. I don't know what it is about it, but even though this one got just as much overexposure I always seemed to like it. I love John Paul Jones' electric piano, which is one of the main driving forces for this track. Hear Misty Mountain Hop on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Émile Waldteufel - Op. 232 - Rococo-Polka My song pick two years ago today: Sky - Sarabande My song pick three years ago today: Lynyrd Skynyrd - On The Hunt My song pick four years ago toda...

From: Stunt ; Year: 1996; Genre: Alternative Rock I've been counting down the days until we get out of this hellhole of an apartment and I noticed that it is one week until moving day. Ever since it came to my attention this aptly titled song has been running through my mind; actually another one of their songs, The Old Apartment, would probably be more apropos for a pick. Come to think of it, I'll probably be picking that song very soon as well. Anyway, ever since this song was released you couldn't help but hear it everywhere; it's gotten a lot of play over the year and is probably the band's biggest hit. I believe one of the reasons for this is that a lot of their music, which obviously includes this song, borders on being comedic/novelty songs and thus makes it that much more accessible to everyone. Here is the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Paul Abraham Dukas - The Sorcerer's Apprentice My song pick two years ago to...

From: Paranoid ; Year: 1970; Genre: Hard Rock/Metal It's another one of those days which I have no song in mind, so I'm picking one from the queue. This is yet one great track among many others from this hit-laden album; I absolutely love the raw energy and the pounding riffs that drive this song. Hear Fairies Wear Boots on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Tesla - Forever More My song pick two years ago today: Led Zeppelin - Moby Dick My song pick three years ago today: Bob Marley & The Wailers - Three Little Birds My song pick four years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Bad Moon Rising +

Op. 17; Year: 1836; Genre: Romantic Period/classical In the year 1836, which also happens to be my pick number, Robert Schumann composed this rather interesting piece of music for the piano. From what I've hear about this piece, it was written to help raise money for a monument in honour of Beethoven, who had passed away a few year prior. Also, the piece was dedicated to Franz Liszt; from what I understand he played this piece, but never in a public setting. Here is the complete piece performed by Mehmet Okonsar on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Muse - Supermassive Black Hole My song pick two years ago today: Eddie Lang - Eddie's Twister My song pick three years ago today: The Goo Goo Dolls - Black Balloon My song pick four years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - Bark at the Moon +

From: Tres Hombres ; Year: 1973; Genre: Hard Rock/Blues Rock I heard some ZZ Top on the radio this morning; I realized that I hadn't picked one of their songs in a bit and plus it feels like a good day to pick one of their song. This is one of my more favoured songs from the band; both the music and the light and fun subject matter about a famous house of ill-repute in Texas makes for an excellent song for almost any mood. Hear La Grange on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rammstein - Seemann My song pick two years ago today: Jon Bon Jovi - Blaze of Glory My song pick three years ago today: The Who - The Seeker My song pick four years ago today: The Beatles - Mr. Moonlight +

From: The Razors Edge ; Year: 1990; Genre: Hard Rock/Metal For some reason over the last few days I've been hearing this song a lot; I thought it would make a good pick, so I am. It's a excellent song to get the blood moving. Watch the music video to Thunderstruck on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Victor Wooten - Norwegian Wood My song pick two years ago today: Hawkwind - Love in Space My song pick three years ago today: Les Paul & Mary Ford - The World is Waiting for the Sunrise My song pick four years ago today: Aerosmith - Cryin' +

From: TH1RT3EN ; Year: 2011; Genre: Thrash Metal Since I've been more or less counting the days down until the big move I've been more cognisant of the day of the month it is. Because of this I happened to notice that today is Monday the 13th; for some reason to me it seems more ominous than the more popular Friday the 13th , which has become somewhat cliché over the 100+ years it has been used in the popular vernacular. I have been in a Megadeth mood for a couple of weeks now and this appropriately titled song seemed like a perfect pick for this " Monday the 13th ." I might just have to start a theme of sorts picking songs to mark every time the 13th lands on a Monday. Anyway, this is a truly great song off of an album that in my opinion is amongst Megadeth's best. Hear 13 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Warrant - Heaven My song pick two years ago today: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - The Wind Cries Mary My song pick three years ...

From: Take Me To Tomorrow ; Year: 1970; Genre: Rock Ever since I was quite young I've been a fan of John Denver. I remember buying his first official album, which this song is the title track to, years ago at a second hand record store. For the most part I was used to hearing his popular folk/country sound; to say the least I was surprised when I first dropped the needle and heard this song start playing. This track is actually a straight-up rock tune with with a bit of soul, gospel, and funk thrown in. After a couple of times listening to the raw and edgy sound of this record, it became one of my favourite of his albums; it's very interesting to hear his music from towards the beginning of his recording career. Hear Take Me To Tomorrow on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Mahavishnu Orchestra - Can't Stand Your Funk My song pick two years ago today: Styx - Suite Madame Blue My song pick three years ago today: Rush - Malignant Narcissism My son...

From: Asia ; Year: 1982; Genre: Progressive Rock I was listening to some music from Asia this morning and thought that I go ahead and pick one of their songs. This is one of their more progressive and technical songs from their debut album; it seemed like an excellent song for today. Hear Time Again on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: U2 - The Unforgettable Fire My song pick two years ago today: Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World My song pick three years ago today: Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now My song pick four years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Gimme Your Money Please +

Op. 14 ; Year: 1830; Genre: Romantic Period/classical 1830, which is also my song pick number, is the year that Hector Berlioz's acclaimed piece Symphonie Fantastique first debuted. While Berlioz didn't really have as many compositions as many other composers, this is considered to be one of the more important pieces of classical music from the Romantic Period. This symphony was written around a narrative that was influenced by Berlioz's infatuation with an Irish actress by the name of Harriet Smithson. During the first three parts of the symphony the main character, who today might be referred to as a stalker, pursues his love, but is unable to gain her affection; throughout the piece she is represented by a melody that is often heard and in different ways. Disenchanted, eventually the main character decides to take his own life my means of overdosing on opium, however instead of killing him he dreams that he murdered the woman of his infatuation and of his subs...

From: Big Towne, 2061 ; Year: 1976; Genre: Rock Ever since his suicide a couple of months ago I've been getting more and more into Bob Welch's music. Before his death I was a definite fan of his music, I just guess that since it happened I've been more appreciative of what he left behind. Anyway, this one comes from his band Paris, which was one of his post Fleetwood Mac bands. It's a pretty straight-forward song; at times this one reminds me just a wee bit of Santana musically. Hear Pale Horse, Pale Rider on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Stuart Hamm - Simple Dreams My song pick two years ago today: Albert Hammond - It Never Rains In Southern California My song pick three years ago today: Band of Horses - Islands on the Coast My song pick four years ago today: Jim Croce - Roller Derby Queen +

From: Airconditioning ; Year: 1970; Genre: Progressive Rock A few months ago I began listening to this classic progressive rock band and this morning I happened to be thinking about some of their music, so I figured what the heck, I'll go ahead and pick one of their songs. This track is almost entirely driven by Darryl Way's amazing violin playing; in fact the majority of this 7+ minute piece all but features him playing violin alone, which almost at times makes it an outright classical piece. However, at those times when the entire band kicks in it makes for a rather interesting sound. Hear the studio version on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Megadeth - Endgame My song pick two years ago today: Sirenia - The Other Side My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - Spiral My song pick four years ago today: Outerstar - You Love It When It Rains +

D 911, Op. 89 ; Year: 1827~1828; Genre: Romantic Period/classical I'm once again picking another song that has a publish date that coincides with my pick number; this piece, one of my favourites from Franz Schubert, was published in 1827~1828. Actually 1827 had another, greater event that totally overshadowed everything else that happened in music that year: the death of Ludwig van Beethoven . I suppose it would've been more apropos to pick one of his pieces of music today, but I've already picked quite a few of his song and have, surprisingly, only picked one other from Schubert. Interestingly enough just a year later Franz Schubert would follow Beethoven and pass away at the young age of 32; another factoid to note is that Franz Schubert took part in Beethoven's funeral procession. Anyway, this rather remarkable song cycle, Die Winterreise ( The Winter Journey ), is set to 24 poems written by Wilhelm Müller, who also passed in 1827. The composition consists ...

From: Opera Noir ; Year: 2006; Genre: Metal/Neue Deutsche Härte I was thinking about Stahlhammer this morning and I thought I'd pick one of their songs. While this track is overall a heavy metal track, the beat and the feel wouldn't make it too far out of place in a dance club; it makes it quite a rousing track. Oddly enough, my favourite aspect of this one is the lyrics and the vocal work. Hear Mensch on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rush - Afterimage My song pick two years ago today: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice - The Last Supper (From Jesus Christ Superstar ) My song pick three years ago today: Megadeth - Sleepwalker My song pick four years ago today: The Allman Brothers Band - The Whipping Post +

From: Oceanborn ; Year: 1998; Genre: Power Metal/Symphonic Metal I'm bringing an extremely busy weekend close, which consisted of getting ready for the big move and attending a local animé/Japanese cultural festival; to say the least I'm tired and ready to go back to the work week. Anyway, whilst on the road my iPod was favouring Nightwish quite a bit; of course this was one of the songs that came up during our travels this weekend. This is quite an interesting song all of the way around; I suppose the best way to describe it would be to call it a fusion between metal and opera. Toward the end of the song Tarja Turunen really does an awesome job with her vocals; it reminds me somewhat of the Queen of the Night aria from Mozart's The Magic Flute in my opinion. Hear Passion and the Opera on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Seven Mary Three - Cumbersome My song pick two years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Let It Ride My song pick thr...

Op.125 ; Year: 1824; Genre: classical/Romantic Period It has been quite busy lately, and it doesn't look like it's going to get any less busy for the time being; especially on the weekends, but at least I am still able to get my picks in. Anyway, I noticed that song pick number is 1824, which is the year that Beethoven published and first performed this remarkable and quite historic piece of music. While it's not my absolute favourite piece of music from the master composer, it's right up there. Hear the entire 9th Symphony on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Stormwarrior - Heading Northe My song pick two years ago today: Cab Calloway - The Jumpin' Jive (Hep-Hep!) My song pick three years ago today: The Police - Synchronicity II My song pick four years ago today: Eddie Money - Take Me Home Tonight +

From: Emerson, Lake & Palmer ; Year: 1970; Genre: Progressive Rock At some point yesterday I heard this song again and immediately knew I had my next pick. Throughout this rather interesting progressive rock arrangement of Béla Bartók's Allegro Barbaro , (BB 63), the trio literally put on a musician's clinic; all three of them kick some serious arsch on this one. As a musician this is one of those songs where you either get frustrated and think about quitting or you get thoroughly inspired; for me it's definitely the latter. Hear The Barbarian on YouTube. Watch a classic live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Charlie Parker - Summertime My song pick two years ago today: Tarot - Gone My song pick three years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Paint It Black My song pick four years ago today: The Enemys - Sinner Man +

From: Schtiel (Single); Year: 2003; Genre: Metal/Neue Deutche Härte I felt like picking some Rammstein this morning; this somewhat rare track from Rammstein's Till Lindemann and Richard Krupse seemed to fit my mood the best. Shtil, as originally titled, is a cover of a song originally written and recorded by the Russian metal band Aria . Apparently Lindemann and Krupse recorded this cover in 2003 for a celebration in Moscow, Russia concerning the centennial anniversary for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Another interesting fact about this song is that Till Lindemann sung it in Russian. Hear Schtiel on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Queensrÿche - Revolution Calling My song pick two years ago today: Puhdys - Große Herzen My song pick three years ago today: Rush - Digital Man My song pick four years ago today: Balance - Breaking Away +

From: Learning to Crawl ; Year: 1983/84; Genre: Rock/Alternative Rock Last night, for no reason I was listening to a bunch of music from The Pretenders. I noticed that I have only picked one other of their songs, and that was a while ago ; I guess it's more than overdue to pick another. I like the excellent, steady rhythm they usually put in their songs; this one kind of rolls along with a rolling locomotive feel to it. Quite a nice tune with excellent music; of course it's cool how they threw in some social cometary for good measure. Hear Middle of the Road on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: U2 - Where the Streets Have No Name My song pick two years ago today: Uriah Heep - Wizard My song pick three years ago today: Queen - Bicycle Race My song pick four years ago today: The Doors - Love Me Two Times +