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

From: Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Original Soundtrack , Year: 2010; Genre: Rock/Surf Rock Happy Halloween! I was wanting to pick a good, fitting song today and this one from the soundtrack to the video game Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare felt like a nice fit. For some reason surf rock with a spooky feel and subject matter just seems to go together quite well. Hear Dead Man Walking on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Dick Dale - Riders In the Sky My song pick two years ago today: Andrew Gold - Spooky, Scary Skeletons My song pick three years ago today: Rammstein - Mein Teil My song pick four years ago today: Rush - Witch Hunt My song pick five years ago today: Jethro Tull - Witches Promise

Year: 1911; Genre: Pop In the year 1911, which is also today's song pick number, Irving Berlin published Alexander's Ragtime Band , a song that would not only become one of the more popular songs in American musical history, but also launched his career as one of the most popular songwriters of all time. The song's popularity was a surprise even to it's writer; from what I've read it would gain a resurgence every time an artist recorded it; overall it stayed in the charts for an amazing five decades. I remember a few years ago when I was doing some personal research on some of the older music I was surprised at how many immensely popular hit songs Irving Berlin wrote, most of which are still heard today; a century later. Hear an instrumental version of the song on YouTube. Countless versions of the song can be found here on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Queensrÿche - Della Brown My song pick two years ago today: Van Halen - Unchained ...

BB 52 ; Year: 1909-1910; Genre: Romantic Period/classical I have been meaning to add one of Béla Bartók's compositions to my blog for a long time now and have finally gotten around to it. This beautiful piece of music made its premier in 1910, which is also the number of today's pick. I absolutely love all of the layers and counter punctuation he uses throughout this entire piece; it's truly a work of art. Here is the first movement: Lento on YouTube. Here is the second movement: Poco a poco accelerando all'allegretto on YouTube. Here is the third movement: Allegro Vivace on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Victor Wooten - Us 2 My song pick two years ago today: The Sons of the Pioneers - Cool Water My song pick three years ago today: Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky My song pick four years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Here is the News My song pick five years ago today: Faith No More - From Out of Nowhere

From: Back Through Time ; Year: 2011; Genre: Celtic Folk Metal/Pirate Metal Yesterday I had this song my mind; as usual I took as a sign I should pick it. I remember when I first looked at the track list I was certainly amused when I saw that Alestorm had covered this classic Stan Rogers a cappella folk ditty and turned it into a full-blown heavy metal song. I've always liked the original; I can't remember how many times I've heard it, but it's been a bunch. However, to say the least I like Alestorm's cover just a much, probably more now that I think about it. They simply did an awesome job covering it in my opinion, of course the subject matter fit Alestorm's pirate themed music style perfectly, so it's no surprise at all. This track also features a pretty good guitar solo by guest guitarist Heri Joensen from the band Tyr. Hear Alestorm's version of Barrett's Privateers on YouTube. Hear the original Stan Rogers version on YouTube. M...

Op. 27 ; Year: 1908; Genre: Romantic Period/classical Off an on for the last week and especially today I've been having issues with the internet going out, but it's back on now and running fine, (knock on wood). Anyway, just in case it decides to go kaput again I'm making a quick pick. I checked what was going on in music circa 1908, which is today's song pick number, and noticed this awesome piece of music from Rachmaninoff made it's debut in 1908. I also realized that I hadn't yet chosen one of his songs yet, so it seemed like an excellent time to do so. Here is a performance of the piece by the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest, conducted by Gullberg Jensen on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: AC/DC - Big Balls My song pick two years ago today: The Guess Who - Hand Me Down World My song pick three years ago today: Finntroll - Skogens Hämnd My song pick four years ago today: Bon Jovi - These Days My song pick five years ago today: Yes - R...

From: Stand! ; Year: 1969; Genre: Funk/Soul/Psychedelic Rock This rather uplifting track seemed perfect for today, so I'm going ahead and making it my pick. Of course it's Friday as well, so I might as well make it a proper Funky Friday pick as well. While the entire song is excellent, by far my favourite part is the musical break at the end. Hear Stand! on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Sethian - Purity in Sorrow My song pick two years ago today: Sethian - Nothing Is True My song pick three years ago today: Steely Dan - Charlie Freak My song pick four years ago today: Van Halen - Summer Nights My song pick five years ago today: Apocalyptica (featuring Nina Hagen) - Seemann

From: Feedback ; Year: 2004; Genre: Hard Rock For most of the day I've had the original Buffalo Springfield version of this song running through my mind. I was intending on picking it, but evidently I had already chosen it . So, I decided I would go ahead and pick this cover of the song by Rush. They actually did an awesome job with it, as with any good cover they kept the original spirit while putting their personal touch on it. Hear Rush's cover of Mr. Soul on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Megadeth - How the Story Ends My song pick two years ago today: Sethian - Epitaph My song pick three years ago today: Marcus Miller - Frankenstein My song pick four years ago today: Jackyl - The Lumberjack My song pick five years ago today: Blackmore's Night - Rainbow Blues

From: Asia ; Year: 1982; Genre: Progressive Rock I was drawing a total blank for a song to pick today. I was listening Asia's debut album recently, so a lot of the music therein was still in my mind; I figured that I would go ahead and choose another song from it. Wildest Dreams is one of the lesser singles off this hit laden record that caught my attention the first time. I like the way they disguised a technical song musically in almost mainstream rock trappings, but then that's the way a lot of 80's prog/rock ended up sounding. Here is an animé music video with the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Don Henley - Dirty Laundry My song pick two years ago today: The Scorpions - Big City Nights My song pick three years ago today: Graham Central Station - Earthquake My song pick four years ago today: John Denver - Season Suite - Fall My song pick five years ago today: Kyu Sakamoto - Sukiyaki ( Ue o Muite Aruko )

From: Rocket Science ; Year: 2011; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Bluegrass I've been having a rather difficult time making my pick today. I had a few songs that I wanted to pick, but it seemed as if I was thwarted at every turn at finding the song online. Frustrated, I finally just picked this interesting track off of Béla Fleck & the Flecktones' newest album. However, as it ends up this is the second time I am posting the song due to me accidentally deleting the original post prior to finishing it, so, here it is anyway. Like much of their material it's a very interesting blend of musical styles and sounds; if you have heard them before you should pretty know what to expect. Hear Earthling Parade on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Stuart Hamm - Kings of Sleep My song pick two years ago today: Steeleye Span - Lovely on the Water My song pick three years ago today: Crosby, Stills & Nash - Just a Song Before I Go My song pick four years ago today: R...

From: Recall the Beginning... A Journey from Eden ; Year: 1972; Genre: Rock 'n Roll The other day I heard this song again and since it just feels like a good fit and I have no other song in mind today I'm picking it. This is just a fun song to listen to all the way around; I love how they used vintage 50's rock 'n roll sound/feel, especially the vocals, harmonies, and that cool bass line. Hear Enter Maurice on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Mastodon - Capillarian Crest My song pick two years ago today: Hot Chocolate - Brother Louie My song pick three years ago today: Rammstein - Frühling in Paris My song pick four years ago today: Jethro Tull - A Small Cigar My song pick five years ago today: Ian Anderson - Calliandra Shade (The Cappuccino Song)

From: The Entertainer: The Very Best of Scott Joplin ; Year: 2009, (1902); Genre: Ragtime/Pop Okay, here's another one of Scott Joplin's more recognized compositions, which probably is the most popular of his songs today; I can all but guarantee you've heard it at some point. This one, of course, was published at the height of the popularity of ragtime in the year 1902, which is also the pick number today. What has led to this song's popularity in more recent times was its use in the Paul Newman and Robert Redford film The Sting ; subsequently it has been used quite a bit in popular culture. Hear The Entertainer on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Maktub - So Tired My song pick two years ago today: Dizzy Gillespie - Manteca My song pick three years ago today: Iron Maiden - Sun and Steel My song pick four years ago today: Deep Purple - Knocking At Your Back Door My song pick five years ago today: Slade - Cum On Feel The Noize

Year: 1901; Genre: Romantic Period/classical There have been quite a few classical composers that I have yet to add to my blog; Gustav Mahler is definitely one of them. So, when I noticed that this, his fourth symphony premiered in 1901, which is also today's song pick number, I figured it would be an excellent choice. Here is a complete performance of Mahler's 4th Symphony by the World Orchestra of Peace, conducted by Valery Gergiev on YouTube. Circa 2011, which marked the 100th anniversary of Gustav Mahler's death. My song pick a year ago today: Saigon Kick - Chanel My song pick two years ago today: Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out My song pick three years ago today: Return to Forever - Vulcan Worlds My song pick four years ago today: Victor Wooten - Me and My Bass Guitar My song pick five years ago today: Pink Floyd - Welcome to the Machine

From: Pawn Hearts ; Year: 1971; Genre: Progressive Rock Today marks my one-thousand-nine-hundredth song picked. I probably should've picked a song that was a little more appropriate, but there was no song I could think of and none I really wanted to pick that somehow was related to the number or year 1900. So, as I sometimes do, I am instead picking a huge, epic piece of music to mark the occasion. It's amazing to think that my next "odometer rollover pick" will be my 2000th. This epic piece of progressive rock was one of three or four tracks contained on the album, depending on the version you bought. A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers is a concept piece that is a bit of a mini opera and is broken up into ten sections: I. Eye Witness , II. Pictures/Lighthouse , III. Eye Witness , IV. S.H.M. , V. Presence of the Night , VI. Kosmos Tours , VII. (Custard's) Last Stand , VIII. The Clot Thickens, IX. Land's End (Sineline) , X. We Go Now . Hear the full 23...

From: The Entertainer: The Very Best of Scott Joplin ; Year: 2009, (1899); Genre: Ragtime/Pop Here's another song where the composition date coincides with my song pick number. Around the turn of the last century the musical form/genre which is ragtime was extremely popular, and Scott Joplin is considered the greatest composer of the genre. To easily think of ragtime, it's the music that often times played behind old black and white silent films; it was the kind of music that was popular at the time those kind of films were being produced. While many might view ragtime as antiquated and "old timey" it's very a very important genre, which led to the development of other genres, chiefly jazz. Anyway, this is one of Scott Joplin's more famous of his compositions and has been covered and recorded more times than I dare to count. Here is a recording of Scott Joplin playing Maple Leaf Rag on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Pla...

From: Ritual de lo habitual ; Year: 1990; Genre: Alternative Rock For some reason I had this song running through my mind this morning and since I haven't yet chosen a song from Jane's Addiction I thought it would be an excellent song for my pick. Watch the music video to Been Caught Stealing on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rush - Leave That Thing Alone My song pick two years ago today: Jim Croce - Photographs and Memories My song pick three years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Turn To Stone My song pick four years ago today: Sniff'n the Tears - Driver's Seat My song pick five years ago today: Styx - Lady

From: Hawkwind ; Year: 1970; Genre: Blues Rock/Psychedelic Rock I was going over some of Hawkwind's earlier material the other day; after hearing this track I kept going back over and listening to it. If you are used to their normal sound, I have to say it's a bit different; this is quite a bluesy track with a bit of psychedelia thrown in. Actually there is a version of the song that was recorded prior to their first album when they were still going by "Hawkwind Zoo," which in my opinion sounds more like what they would end up sounding like. Anyway, no matter the version it's really interesting to hear such an early recording of the band. Hear Hurry on Sundown on YouTube. Hear the 1969 single recording from when the band was still known as "Hawkwind Zoo" on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Steeleye Span - New York Girls My song pick two years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Living in the U.S.A. My song pick three years ago t...

Op. 30 ; Year: 1896; Genre: Romantic Period/classical 1896, which is also today's song pick number, was the year that this very famous piece of music was composed and premiered. While in his time there were works of his that were just as popular, you can't deny that today this is his most famous piece. It, of course, gained most of its popularity from the initial "fanfare" section being used as both the theme song for the Apollo Program and the Stanley Kubrick epic 2001: A Space Odyssey . Ever since then it has been used quite extensively in many other things and has permeated popular culture. For those unaware, the entire piece is a tone poem that was inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche 's work of the piece's namesake . Here is a performance of Also Sprach Zarathustra by the l'Orchestra Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, conducted by Antonio Pappano: Here is part one on YouTube. Here is part two on YouTube. Here is part three on YouTube. Here is par...

From: Be Here Now ; Year: 1997; Genre: Pop/Rock I felt like listening to some Oasis this morning and started going over some of their music. I hadn't heard this song in particular in a very long while; after hearing it I thought I would go ahead and make it my pick today. Hear All Around the World on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Smashing Pumpkins - The End Is the Beginning Is the End My song pick two years ago today: Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells a Story My song pick three years ago today: Louis Armstrong - Red Sails in the Sunset My song pick four years ago today: Jim Croce - Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy) My song pick five years ago today: Savatage - The Wake of Magellan

From: Get Ready ; Year: 1969; Genre: Hard Rock/R&B I woke up this morning with this song from Motown's own hard rock band running through my head. Get Ready was, of course, originally written by the incomparable Smokey Robinson and was a hit song recorded by The Temptations. This hard rock rendition comes across as an extended jam, which was based off their live performance of the song; Rare Earth would close out their set with this extended jam complete with each instrument getting a proper solo. It ended up at over twenty minutes in length and took up the entire b-side of the album. From what I understand Motown was unsure about releasing their version as a single, of course when the label finally relented it was released at a far more radio-friendly 2:48. Hear the full 20+ minute version on YouTube. Hear the much abbreviated single edit on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Trio of Doom - Continuum My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - Aqua...

From: Americana ; Year: 2012; Genre: Hard Rock Recently I was introduced to this new song and album from Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Essentially Americana is a collection of old traditional American tunes redone in a dark and interesting hard rock style. From what I read about it, Neil Young wanted to return some of the original darker aspects to these that have, for the most part, been relegated to being thought of as children's songs. In this classic Stephen Foster composition he really turns it into a "dirty" blues in you will. When I first heard it, it reminded me a lot of The Shocking Blue's hit song Venus , especially in the rhythm and chord progression, only this song is a bit heavier. It's definitely a neat take on a traditional classic. Here is a video with Neil Young's version of Oh Susannah on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Miles Davis - Freedom Jazz Dance My song pick two years ago today: Boston - More Than a Feeling ...

From: The Cross & the Crucible ; Year: 2001; Genre: Progressive Rock Recently I started listening to Pallas' '01 release The Cross & the Crucible ; I have to say that I like what I hear. Frustratingly, this is the only song from the album I could find online, so I guess it's the one I'm picking today. While it's not my favourite on the album, it's some quite excellent progressive rock. Hear For the Greater Glory on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Steely Dan - Peg My song pick two years ago today: What Made Milwaukee Famous - Selling Yourself Short My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - Left Right My song pick four years ago today: Mott The Hoople - All The Young Dudes My song pick five years ago today: Eisbrecher - Ohne Dich

From: Presto ; Year: 1989; Genre: Rock I noticed in the news today that actor and former NFL player Alex Karras passed away. Even though he had many other roles as an actor I'll probably always remember him for the character "Mongo" from the comedy classic Blazing Saddles . In the movie there were many highly quotable lines, among them was Cleavon Little's famous " Candygram for Mongo ." Anyway, after hearing of Alex Karras' death this song just popped in my mind. I don't know if the title of the song was inspired somehow by the line in the movie, but ever since I first saw it I figured there had to be a connection. Even if there isn't a real connection, in my mind (and probably in that of many others'), there is. Hear Anagram (for Mongo) on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Sky - Troika My song pick two years ago today: Mason Williams - Classical Gas My song pick three years ago today: Alexi Murdoch - Breathe My so...

From: Streets: A Rock Opera ; Year: 1991; Genre: Progressive Metal Off and on over the last few days I've been listening to this Savatage album, which is one of my favourites. This is the second-to-last song and, much like the other material on the record, is a fusion between Savtage's brand of metal with opera/broadway. For the most part Somewhere in Time can be played alone without losing anything, especially if you don't pay as much attention to the lyrics. However, it does work better played with the rest of the rock opera; particularly with the final track: Believe .  Those two songs go very well together and for the most part are often played in tandem. Even though I normally listen to it along with other songs on Streets , this is still one of my favourites on the album. I especially love the work by Jon and Criss Oliva; the vocals, piano, and guitar are excellent as always. Hear Somewhere in Time followed by Believe on YouTube. - paired as always. ...

From: Sol Hoopii: Master of the Hawaiian Guitar ; Year: 2009 (1927); Genre: Blues I happened to remember that in the year 1889, which is also today's pick number, was when the Hawaiian or steel guitar was invented by Joseph Kekuku . Since the guy who has been teaching me to play the Hawaiian guitar is a huge fan of master guitarist Sol Ho'opi'i I've become well acquainted with his music, so I thought I would pick one of his songs. I just wish there was more of a selection of his music on YouTube. Hear Sol Ho'opi'i's rendition of St. Louis Blues on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Allman Brothers Band - Les Brers in A Minor My song pick two years ago today: Puhdys - He John My song pick three years ago today: Styx - Too Much Time On My Hands My song pick four years ago today: The Amboy Dukes - Journey to the Center of the Mind My song pick five years ago today: The Who - Pinball Wizard

From: The Wild Heart ; Year: 1983; Genre: Pop/Rock It seems as of late that I've been picking songs I heard on the radio, but with how much I'm on the road anymore it's no surprise. I've always loved how Stevie Nicks' solo material contrasts for the most part with Fleetwood Mac; I think it shows a lot of growth and definite artistic direction in her music. Other than her vocals I love the use of synthesizers, especially in the lower-end of this song. I know the use of synth is often reviled, but I grew up hearing it used a lot. Hear Stand Back on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jigsaw - Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind My song pick two years ago today: U2 - Mysterious Ways My song pick three years ago today: Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son My song pick four years ago today: The Who - Behind Blue Eyes My song pick five years ago today: Jethro Tull - Part Of The Machine

From Synchronicity ; Year: 1983; Genre: New Wave/Pop Today when I was sitting in the car waiting for an appointment this song came on the radio. It's weird, but for me personally I've always had it very much connected to the time period when I first heard it; because of that it hasn't become as cliché to me as it probably is to others. If you don't really listen that closely to the lyrics it almost sounds like a love song, but, as you probably know, the song is about a stalker and his ex-lover. I was taken aback the first time I actually sat down and listened to the lyrics; for quite a while I never really listened to them; I was rather focused on the music. I like the smooth and highly predicable chord progression, however my favourite part of the song is the middle eight and how they enter and exit it. Watch the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone My song pick two years ago today: The Moontrekkers - Ni...

From: Revelations ; Year: 2006; Genre: Funk Rock It's one of those cases today where I'm picking a song from a band that I should've picked a long time ago. I have to say, this is an interesting sounding album and song; I love their fusion of funk and rock throughout. Hear Jewel of the Summertime on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Megaherz - Himmelfahrt My song pick two years ago today: Coleman Hawkins - Stardust My song pick three years ago today: Bon Jovi - Someday I'll Be Saturday Night My song pick four years ago today: Styx - The Grand Illusion My song pick five years ago today: Neil Young - After The Gold Rush

From: Broadsword and the Beast (Remastered); Year: 1982; Genre: Rock It's been a rather busy couple of days; I had this rarer 'Tull track running through my mind off and on recently. As I often times I do, I took it as a sign I should make it my pick, so I am. This was one of the many songs written and recorded at the time of the Broadsword and the Beast album that didn't make the cut; it's amazing to think that almost as many songs got cut as made it on to the album. It did however get released on the 20th Anniversary Boxed Set and then later reunited on the remastered version of the Broadsword . Overall I have to say it, as well as it's siblings who were also cut, has a lot less polish than a properly released song. But who knows, if it would've made the cut they might have given it that polish. Musically in my opinion it's one of their straight forward songs; nothing too fancy, but it does have a nice driving rhythm. Funny enough the first few ...

From: A Question of Balance ; Year: 1970; Genre: Progressive Rock/Blues Rock Since last night I had some Moody Blues music running through my mind; since I usually take it as a sign I should pick one of their songs and I haven't picked one of their song in a while I figured I would. I believe that I've said it before, The Moody Blues were my main "gateway" band into progressive rock and because of that they'll always have a special place for me. Anyway, I realized I hadn't picked one from their A Question of Balance album, so here's one of my favourites and one of the more interesting tracks from it. I like how they start out with some incredible atmospheric music that build into their full rock sound then end it in the same atmospheric manner. Hear Don't You Feel Small on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Depeche Mode - Stripped My song pick two years ago today: Sammy Davis Jr. - Mr. Bojangles My song pick three years ago ...

From: Crack the Skye ; Year: 2009; Genre: Progressive Metal A bit ago I noticed that I've only chosen two songs from this great band; I thought I would add a third today. I've been trying to get more into Mastodon; it's not like I've been trying to find something I like from the band, not at all; I really like what I've heard. It's just been hard to find the time to listen. Anyway, since I'm a fan of their Blood Mountain album I thought I would check out their follow-up: Crack the Skye . To say the least I was impressed and I think I've found myself a new favourite album from Mastodon. Oblivion is one of the main singles off the album; it is one of those songs that's fun to listen to as a musician or just being a metalhead rocking out. Watch the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Van Morrison - Wavelength My song pick two years ago today: Lee Michaels - Do You Know What I Mean? My song pick three years ago tod...

From: I Robot ; Year: 1977; Genre: Progressive Rock Since the other day when I noticed that Woordernaar picked an Alan Parson's Project song I've been going back over stuff from the band. So, here's one that I'm rather fond of off of APP's second album: I Robot . Hear Breakdown on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Pink Floyd - Interstellar Overdrive My song pick two years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Lets Groove My song pick three years ago today: Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd - Samba Triste My song pick four years ago today: The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary My song pick five years ago today - April Wine - Roller