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

From: The Best of Fats Waller ; Year: 2012 (1942); Genre: Jazz I'm picking another song where its publishing date happens to match my song pick number; this is a real good one. This was one of the last major compositions from Fats Waller, sadly a year later a bout with pneumonia brought on by a hectic schedule took the master composer/musician's life at an untimely age of 39. He's another one of those musical giants that accomplished an amazing amount within the short time he was on this Earth. Hear Jitterbug Waltz on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Pibroch (Cap in Hand) My song pick two years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - Civilize the Universe My song pick three years ago today: Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son My song pick four years ago today: John Denver - The Eagle and the Hawk My song pick five years ago today: Three Dog Night - Liar

From: Escape ; Year: 1981; Genre: Rock I was listening to some Journey this morning and also happened to go over the songs of theirs I'd already picked; I was kind of surprised that I hadn't added this song yet. I used to like Don't Stop Believing and it was actually one of my favourites from the band; I still like it, but just not as much.  I guess it must be because of how it gets overplayed in recent years; when a song gets absorbed into popular culture like this one did it loses something. It's truly sad that so many of these great bands have started whoring their art and themselves out to television shows, advertisers, and other media. I can still remember back when such a thing was a taboo; things have definitely changed. Now every time I hear it I can't help but get the image of a crowd of drunken bar patrons singing along, of course each singing it in different and sometimes multiple keys. Anyway, I'm digressing. But, with that being said th...

From: Emerson, Lake & Palmer ; Year: 1970; Genre: Progressive Rock As I've said a few times before, I normally don't let my previous picks influence current ones, well, other than not picking ones that I've already chosen. Anyway, when I noticed that a year ago I chose EL&P's epic Tarkus it got me in the mood for some more of their music. This is another one that hails from their hit debut album; it's a rather complex and pretty track that goes through a few sections and arrangements, however, at the same time it's quite a listenable track to even a casual listener. Keith Emerson's piano playing is amazing; I love how he goes from light and delicate in one section and utilizes the instrument's power in others, heck he even strums its strings towards the start. Hear Take a Pebble on YouTube. Watch a live performance circa '71 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Tarkus My song pick two years ...

From: When the Saints Go Marching I n; Year: 2009 (1939); Genre: Jazz I had some other songs in mind for today's pick, but I happened to notice that Louis Armstrong had a famous hit recording of this traditional hymn in 1939, which is today's pick number. After seeing that I couldn't help but make it my choice today. This is a pretty popular version; most people today should know or at least have heard Louie Armstrong's version of the song. Even though it had been in existence for many years before, in my mind and probably many others' as well have a tendency to associate this track with him. Hear a recording of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: John Denver - Farewell Andromeda (Welcome To My Morning) My song pick two years ago today: Del Shannon - Runaway My song pick three years ago today: Steely Dan - Black Friday My song pick four years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - I Just Want You My song pick five years ago today: Quiet Rio...

From: Calling Up Spirits ; Year: 1996; Genre: Hard Rock/Surf Rock I've been wanting to pick this song for a while now and today feels like a good time to do so; Bandito is one of my favourite songs from Dick Dale. Anyway, this is a pretty heavy instrumental surf guitar rock track with a bit of a Latin flare to it. My favourite part is how the guitar and bass interact throughout the song especially in the descending lines where the guitar starts it and then the bass finishes it and they start over again, which makes kind of an echo/roll effect. Here is a fan video with the studio version of Bandito on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Dream Theater - A Nightmare to Remember My song pick two years ago today: Bob Marley & the Wailers - Jamming My song pick three years ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Crossfire My song pick four years ago today: 4 Non Blondes - What's Up? My song pick f ive years ago today: Jethro Tull - ...And ...

From: One O'Clock Jump (single); Year: 1937; Genre: Swing Jazz/Blues Here's another pick which the date of the song's release happens to match the number of today's song pick. In the year 1937 this instrumental jazz standard tore up the charts; it was made the official theme song for Basie's Orchestra and was covered many times by other artists as well. Even today this is quite a popular song that most have probably heard at one time or another. Most Rush fan will also recognize this piece as being sampled in most of Neil Peart's "epic" drum solos in recent years. Hear One O'Clock Jump on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Nightwish - Storytime My song pick two years ago today: Kay Kyser and His Orchestra - Praise The Lord and Pass the Ammunition My song pick three years ago today: Nightwish feat. Tapio Wilska - The Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean My song pick four years ago today: Mason Proffit - Two Hangmen My song pi...

From: The Quintessential Billie Holiday, Vol.2: 1936 ; Year: 1990 (1936); Genre: Blues/Jazz I'm making another pick where my pick number and the date concerning a song I wanted to pick coincide. In the year 1936 Billie Holiday's cover of this Gershwin piece from the opera Porgy and Bess was amongst the year ' s most popular recordings. Hear Billie Holiday's version of Summertime on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: David Bowie - Young Americans My song pick two years ago today: Eric Robertson - "Spooked" on Classics My song pick three years ago today: Antonio Salieri - Requiem in C-Minor ( Piccolo Requiem ) My song pick four years ago today: Marmalade - Reflections of My Life My song pick five years ago today: .38 Special - Same Old Feeling

From: Nevermind ; Year: 1991; Genre: Alternative Rock/Grunge I was thinking about this as well as a few other songs from Nirvana lately and figured that I should pick one of them. To be perfectly honest, when they came on the scene and became one of the biggest bands around I really didn't care much for the overall sound of a lot of their material. However, about ten years later I began to appreciate their sound and their contribution to music from the decade when I was a teenager; looking back on it now, they definitely were unique. It amazes me now to think that Nevermind was released over 20 years ago; damn, to me it seem like just a few years ago. Where does the time go? Hear Come As You Are on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Hawkwind - Space Chase My song pick two years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Four Wheel Drive My song pick three years ago today: Savatage - When the Crowds are Gone My song pick four years ago today: Joe Walsh -...

From: Live Art ; Year: 1996; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Bluegrass Well, it's Thanksgiving once again; I was really wanting to pick a song that was apropos, but nothing came to mind. Anyway, as it so happened yesterday I heard this one come on, which is one of my favourites from the band. I thought for sure I'd already chosen it, but apparently I had not. This is another fine example as to why I love this band: so many awesome and contrasting musical ideas being brought together to make one great, unique sound. Hear Stomping Grounds on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Mahavishnu Orchestra - You Know You Know My song pick two years ago today: The Kinks - Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues My song pick three years ago today: Rush - Manhattan Project My song pick four years ago today: Andy Taylor - When the Rain Comes Down My song pick five years ago today: Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant Massacree

From: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook ; Year: 1961; Genre: Jazz/Blues I'm making another pick where the date when a song was first released matches up with my pick number; it just so happens that this rather famous and beautiful piece of music was published in 1933. This is yet another standard that should be recognizable to almost anyone alive today.  It was originally written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler and has been recorded countless times since. However, among my favourite renditions of the song was the one recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, so, of course, it is my pick today. Hear Ella Fitzgerald's recording of Stormy Weather on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Dead Meadow - Greensky Greenlake My song pick two years ago today: Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart My song pick three years ago today: Duran Duran - Serious My song pick four years ago today: Styx - Crystal Ball My song pick five years ago today: Rush - Tom Sawyer

From: The Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need ; Year: 1999 (1932); Genre: Jazz I'm choosing another where my pick number coincides with the date when a song was released. This jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington with lyrics by Irving Mills was one of the songs to dominate the charts in the year 1932. While it's not technically "Swing Jazz" it was one of, if not the first song to coin the term "Swing" and contains many of the elements that would create the jazz sub-genre that reined supreme throughout the mid 1930s-1940s. It has been recorded a multitude of times by many artists, but my favourite version by far is the one that features Louis Armstrong along with Duke Ellington. Hear It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) on YouTube. Hear a version of the song featuring the incomparable Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong on YouTube. - Does it really get any better? My song pick a year ago today: Jefferson Airplane ...

From: Benefit ; Year: 1970; Genre: Hard Rock/ Progressive Rock I just felt like listening to some 'Tull this morning and figured I'd pick another one of their songs as well. This is one of the deeper cuts from the album and is kind of an interesting track; there is a lot of anger and angst throughout. For most of the song it's a bit raucous until the middle eight, then it becomes softer and almost has a Beatleish quality to it. Hear Son on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli (Quintette du Hot Club de France) featuring Freddy Taylor - I'se a Muggin' My song pick two years ago today: Styx - Light Up My song pick three years ago today: Pink Floyd - Waiting for the Worms My song pick four years ago today: Rush - Roll the Bones My song pick five years ago today: Béla Fleck & The Flecktones - A Moment So Close

From: Tales of Mystery and Imagination ; Year: 1976; Genre: Progressive Rock This morning I happened to hear some music from The Alan Parsons Project and it got me in the mood for some more. The first album is still my personal favourite from the band, which was based on the writing from Edgar Allen Poe. This one is of course based on the work of the song's namesake; this track also features Arthur Brown on vocals. Hear The Tell-Tale Heart on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Ethiopia My song pick two years ago today: Bass Extremes - Glorious Pastorius My song pick three years ago today: Alexander Courage - Where No Man Has Gone Before (Theme From Star Trek ) My song pick four years ago today: The Temptations - Get Ready My song pick five years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Not Fragile

From: Counterparts ; Year: 1993; Genre: Hard Rock I heard some Rush this morning whilst on the road and thought I should pick one of their songs. This was, I believe, their main single off of Counterparts , which was what you could call their "back to our roots" album. As with a lot of the material on Counterparts it's slightly heavier and more "raw" sounding than much of their material from the previous decade. Hear Stick it Out on YouTube. Watch the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Nirvana - About a Girl My song pick two years ago today: Forest - Gypsy Girl & Rambleaway My song pick three years ago today: Steely Dan - Caves of Altamira My song pick four years ago today: Free - All Right Now My song pick five years ago today: The Easybeats - Friday On My Mind

From: Monster ; Year: 1994; Genre: Alternative Rock Lately for some reason I've been hearing a lot of R.E.M., so I thought I would take it as a sign that I should pick one of their songs. This track came to mind, it is one of their bigger hits and seemed to fit today. Hear What's the Frequency, Kenneth? on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Steely Dan - Bodhisattva My song pick two years ago today: UFO - Rock Bottom My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - Baker St. Muse My song pick four years ago today: Toto - Hold the Line My song pick five years ago today: Jethro Tull - Kissing Willie

From: The Dreams of Men ; Year: 2005; Genre: Progressive Rock Lately I've been getting into the newer albums from the band Pallas. I checked to see if there were any songs from this one on YouTube; this 11+ minutes track that closes out the album was among those available, so I'm picking it. Hear The Last Angel on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: John Dowland - Flow My Tears (Lachrimae Pavane) My song pick two years ago today: Slaughter - Days Gone By My song pick three years ago today: Johnny Rivers - Poor Side of Town My song pick four years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Stayed Awake All Night My song pick five years ago today: David Essex - Rock On

From: Unchained Melody/Learnin' The Blues ; Year: 1955; Genre: Jazz/Blues This rather popular standard was on my mind this morning, and as I've stated before, I'm a huge fan of Cab Calloway and when I remembered he did a recording of this song I thought I would pick his rendition today. Hear a recording of Cab Calloway's version of Learnin' the Blues on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Steve Vai - Bad Horsie My song pick two years ago today: Fats Domino - Ain't That a Shame My song pick three years ago today: ABBA - I Let the Music Speak My song pick four years ago today: Stone Temple Pilots - The Big Empty My song pick five years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Mr. Blue Sky

From: The System Has Failed ; Year: 2004; Genre: Thrash Metal I had this album on my mind yesterday and thought I would pick a song off of it today. This is the first track on The System Has Failed ; it's pretty much in every way a composition you'd expect from the band. Hear Blackmail the Universe on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Black 47 - Fire of Freedom My song pick two years ago today: Aerosmith - Amazing My song pick three years ago today: Banchee - Beautifully Day My song pick four years ago today: The Cure - Burn My song pick five years ago today: Fire Bomber (Hummingbird) - Dynamite Explosion

Year: 1924; Genre: classical/Jazz I am making another pick where the date the song/piece of music was published happens to coincide with my song pick number. This is a rather famous experimental crossover piece that combines the musical worlds of jazz and classical music; in my opinion some of the best music ever written comes from such musical fusions. It is also written similar to a concerto in that it contrasts a solo piano against a jazz orchestra. To say the least it's a very interesting piece of music. Hear Rhapsody in Blue on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rammstein - Mein Land My song pick two years ago today: Karussell - Tanzen My song pick three years ago today: Pearls Before Swine - Tell Me Why My song pick four years ago today: Red Rider - Lunatic Fringe My song pick five years ago today: Steve Winwood & Traffic - Dear Mr. Fantasy

From: Silberblick ; Year: 1980; Genre: Neue Deutsche Welle/New Wave I felt like listening to some of Joachim Witt's music today to pass the time. This is one of his earlier hits from his German New Wave period of his career and another one I've been meaning to pick for a while now. Watch a video clip for Goldener Reiter on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Savatage - Memory My song pick two years ago today: Billy Joel - Goodnight Saigon My song pick three years ago today: S Sgt Barry Sadler - Ballad of the Green Berets My song pick four years ago today: Pink Floyd - On the Turning Away My song pick five years ago today: ABBA - Soldiers

From: Nursery Cryme ; Year: 1971; Genre: Progressive Rock For some reason I felt like some Genesis for my song choice today; I thought I would go ahead and pick one off of one of my favourite of their albums. Even though this song is rather short in comparison to most of its counterparts on this album, it's still a wonderful track and in my opinion one of the best off of Nursery Cryme . Hear For Absent Friends on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Santo & Johnny - Teardrop My song pick two years ago today: Rammstein - Bück Dich My song pick three years ago today: Lulu - To Sir With Love My song pick four years ago today: Primus - Nature Boy My song pick five years ago today: Deep Purple - Space Truckin'

From: Eisenherz ; Year: 2002; Genre: Neue Deutsche Härte This song from my favourite Austrian band is one I've been meaning to choose for quite a while now and have finally gotten around to it. I guess with all of this craziness I recently had with the internet I was refocused on some older material that I like. Hear Eisenherz on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Exist†Trace - RESONANCE My song pick two years ago today: Three Dog Night - One Man Band My song pick three years ago today: The Eagles - Outlaw Man My song pick four years ago today: Def Leppard - Lets Get Rocked My song pick five years ago today: Alabama - Roll On ( Eighteen Wheeler )

From: Workshop ; Year: 2010; Genre: Jazz/Pop This song happened to first be published in the year 1920, which is also today's pick number; it was written by Melvin and John Schonberger. Most of my memories concerning this song are from hearing my grandfather play Chet's rendition countless times. So even though there are many other good versions out there, there was really no other version that I really wanted to pick other than Chet Atkins'. Hear Chet Atkins' version on Whispering on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall, Parts 1-3 My song pick two years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - X-Ray Eyes My song pick three years ago today: Alton Ellis - Sunday Coming My song pick four years ago today: Pat Benatar - Treat Me Right My song pick five years ago today: Ronnie Milsap - Smokey Mountain Rain

From: The Very Best of Tommy James & The Shondells ; Year: 1993 (1967); Genre; Pop/Rock Well, that didn't take long: my internet is down again. I am beginning to get tired of this. Anyway, I had this one running through my mind last night, so as always I'm making it my pick. One interesting factoid about this song is that it is essentially their hit song I Think We're Alone Now in reverse; back then it was actually quite a prevalent practice to do so. Hear Mirage on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Rolling Stones - In Another Land My song pick two years ago today: Iron Maiden - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier My song pick three years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Hold on Tight / Epilogue My song pick four years ago today: C.W. McCall - Wolf Creek Pass My song pick five years ago today: Eddie Rabbitt - I'm Driving My Life Away

From: Tribal Thunder : Year: 1993; Genre: Surf Rock/Hard Rock My internet is finally back up, so with any luck everything should be back to abnormal again. I'm kind of celebrating that it's back; here's one that really gets the blood moving alright. If you love hearing a master play his instrument to its fullest this is a good track for you. About three and a half minutes of musical bliss. Oh yeah, today is election day, so get yourself out there and vote! Hear Nitro on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Astronomy My song pick two years ago today: Yoshiki Fukuyama - Angel's Voice My song pick three years ago today: The Kinks - (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman My song pick four years ago today: The Allman Brother's Band - Ain't Waistin' Time No More My song pick five years ago today: Red Sovine - Phantom 309

From: Liebe Ist Für Alle Da ; Year: 2009; Genre: Neue Deutsche Härte Making another abbreviated pick; you can't go wrong with some Rammstein. I've always liked this one, although it's one of my lesser favourites from the album. Hear Rammlied on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Zombie Nation - Kernkraft 400 My song pick two years ago today: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Ko-Ko My song pick three years ago today: Rush - Bastille Day My song pick four years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Brave New World My song pick five years ago today: C.W. McCall - Convoy

From: X In Search of Space ; Year: 1971; Genre: Space Rock My internet went kaput again and the technician is dragging his feet, so my picks might become erratic. Anyway, I figured I'd make a quick pick with some Hawkwind to pass the time whilst I use public access. Hear Adjust Me on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Frank Zappa - Treacherous Cretins My song pick two years ago today: Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra - Skyliner My song pick three years ago today: Santana - Oye Como Va My song pick four years ago today: Joe Walsh - Vote for Me My song pick five years ago today: Jerry Reed - East Bound and Down  

From: Thick as a Brick 2 ; Year: 2012; Genre: Progressive Rock I had this song come on my iPod the other day whilst I was on the road; it's one of my favourites on the album. I've been thinking about picking another track from TAAB2 anyway, so it's a good time. This one's a pretty good mix between the sound of the original and the more recent sound and musical ideas. I really like the instrumental section at the end of the song; their use of Indian like musical vocalization is especially fun. In the greater concept album this one fits in as part of the epilogue for all of the five of fictional character Gerald Bostock's "what-ifs." Hear Kismet in Suburbia on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Hawkwind - Fable of a Failed Race My song pick two years ago today: Billy Joel - It's Still Rock and Roll to Me My song pick three years ago today: Daft Punk - One More Time My song pick four years ago today: Al Stewart - Time Passages ...

From: Awake ; Year: 1994; Genre: Progressive Metal I'm having one of my off days, but I'm pushing through despite it. Anyway, here's one that fits my mood; its of what I refer to as my "attitude songs." The heavy sound and the technical musical velocity combine together to make for one kick ass song in many ways. Hear Lie on YouTube. Watch the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Aerosmith - Home Tonight My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - Overseer Overture / Flight from Lucifer My song pick three years ago today: The Beatles - Think for Yourself My song pick four years ago today: Queen feat. David Bowie - Under Pressure My song pick five years ago today: The Grateful Dead - Touch of Grey

From: It Happened Today (single); Year: 1970; Genre: Progressive Rock Yesterday I was listening to some of Curved Air's songs; ever since I had this one on my mind, so, like I always do, I made it my pick. Sadly, this rather interesting song can only be found as the b-side to their It Happened Today Single , and of course now YouTube. Hear What Happens When You Blow Yourself Up? on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Megadeth - We The People My song pick two years ago today: Rush - Red Barchetta My song pick three years ago today: Bob Dylan - Tangled Up In Blue My song pick four years ago today: Supertramp - Take the Long Way Home My song pick five years ago today: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones - Vix 9