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

From: Days of Future Passed ; Year: 1967; Genre: Psychedelic Rock/Progressive Rock Today is my final pick of the year and tomorrow will bring in another year of new songs. Anyway, a year ago tomorrow I started off the year by picking the first two songs from this album, and back then it was my intention to finish the year with this pick. This is one of The Moody Blues' most popular songs out there and is incredibly beautiful. Catch ya all tomorrow, in the New Year! Hear Nights in White Satin/Late Lament on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Old Rugged Cross My song pick two years ago today: Mahavishnu Orchestra - One Word My song pick three years ago today: The Alan Parsons Project - The Raven My song pick four years ago today: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones - The Sinister Minister My song pick five years ago today: Rammstein - Reise, Reise My song pick six years ago today: Billy Joel - New York State Of Mind My song pick seven y...

From: Yes ; Year: 1969; Genre: Progressive Rock/Hard Rock I was in the mood for something from Yes today, early Yes in particular. This is one of the singles from their debut album; it features great keyboards from Tony Kaye and bass playing from Chris Squire in particular. Hear Looking Around on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Alestorm - Over the Seas My song pick two years ago today: Paul Simon - Mother and Child Reunion My song pick three years ago today: Maurice Ravel - M.81 - Boléro My song pick four years ago today: Megaherz - Schizophren My song pick five years ago today: Genesis - Turn It On Again My song pick six years ago today: Miles Davis - Walkin' My song pick seven years ago today: Jethro Tull - Cold Wind To Valhalla

From: The Ramblin' Man ; Year: 1974; Genre: Outlaw Country I was in the mood for something a bit different from my normal fair today and thought I'd pick something from the legendary country outlaw Waylon Jennings. This one's from my favourite period of his music: mid 70's to early 80's; a great track. Hear I'm a Rambin' Man on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rage Against the Machine - Bulls on Parade My song pick two years ago today: Gentle Giant - The House, The Street, The Room My song pick three years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Something to Believe In My song pick four years ago today: Dizzy Gillespie - One Note Samba My song pick five years ago today: Steely Dan - Josie My song pick six years ago today: Joni Mitchell - Goodbye Pork Pie Hat My song pick seven years ago today: Big Country - In A Big Country

From: Brave Belt II ; Year: 1972; Genre: Hard Rock After listening to a bunch of music from Randy Bachman the other day it got me into the mood for some more. This one's from the band that would become Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO), and has a bit of the heavier sound and vocals that exemplified the hard-hitting Canadian rock sound they were known for. Hear Too Far Away on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Protect and Survive My song pick two years ago today: The Flying Burrito Brothers - Wild Horses My song pick three years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - My Dark Hour My song pick four years ago today: Fear Factory - Fear Campaign My song pick five years ago today: Gunnar Madsen - Surprise! My song pick six years ago today: Charles Mingus - Tonight At Noon My song pick seven years ago today: Megadeth - Architecture of Aggression

From: Crimes of Passion ; Year: 1980; Genre: Hard Rock The other night I was watching a film that featured this song and it brought it back to the forefront of my mind. A very good track musically with heavy music and lyrics this one does it all right in the vein of Pat Benatar's best material. Hear Hell is for Children on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Headhunters feat. The Pointer Sisters - God Make Me Funky My song pick two years ago today: Yes - Beyond & Before My song pick three years ago today: Billy Joel - The Downeaster 'Alexa' My song pick four years ago today: Oasis - Cast No Shadow My song pick five years ago today: Nightwish - Wanderlust My song pick six years ago today: Dizzy Gillespie - Salt Peanuts My song pick seven years ago today: Bon Jovi - You Give Love A Bad Name

From: Motor Booty Affair ; Year: 1978; Genre: Funk Christmas is over... yay! Back to some normal music again... well about as normal of music as I pick! Anywho, how lucky was it to have a Funky Friday coming right after Christmas? Here's one from the funkmaster George Clinton and his band Parliament; a great tune with an awesome title. Hear Rumpofsteelskin on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Mr. Big - Shine My song pick two years ago today: Blue Cheer - Summertime Blues My song pick three years ago today: Genesis - Land of Confusion My song pick four years ago today: Jethro Tull - Stuck in the August Rain My song pick five years ago today: Rammstein - Feuer Frei! My song pick six years ago today: Huey Lewis and the News - Back In Time My song pick seven years ago today: Gilbert O'Sullivan - Alone Again (Naturally)

From: Happy X-Mas (War Is Over) (single); Year: 1971; Genre: Pop/Rock Well, Christmas Day has arrived, so here's another wish for a Merry Christmas. I had this track running through my mind this morning; thought I would do as I always do, especially with the day it is. As with a lot of Lennon's post-Beatles material this holiday favourite is rife with activism. Hear Happy X-Mas (War Is Over) on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Midnight Clear My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - A Winter Snowscape My song pick three years ago today: Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas My song pick four years ago today: Steeleye Span - Gaudete My song pick five years ago today: Ian Anderson - A Birthday Card At Christmas My song pick six years ago today: Jethro Tull - Another Christmas Song My song pick seven years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness)

From: Nut Rocker and all the classics ; Year: (1962); Genre: Instrumental Rock Merry Christmas Eve! This rocked out arrangement of Tchaikovsky's March or the Wooden Soldiers from The Nutcracker Suite seemed like a great pick for the occasion. Hear Nut Rocker on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen My song pick two years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Wizards in Winter My song pick three years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Christmas at Ground Zero My song pick four years ago today: Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) - I Believe in Father Christmas My song pick five years ago today: Louis Armstrong - 'Zat You Santa Claus? My song pick six years ago today: Jethro Tull - A Christmas Song My song pick seven years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Ghost of Christmas Eve

From: With a Little Help From My Friends ; Year: 1968; Genre: Soul/Hard Rock Taking a day off from picking Christmas music today. Yesterday I learned that Joe Cocker passed away; a writeup can be read here on BBC . Anyway, I figured that I would pick his biggest hit and one of my favourites from his catalogue. In my opinion this was always far and gone the best version of this Lennon/McCartney classic; so much soul and power. Rest in Peace Mad Dog. Hear With a Little Help From My Friends on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - The Little Drummer Boy My song pick two years ago today: The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man My song pick three years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Siberian Sleigh Ride My song pick four years ago today: Twisted Sister - Oh Come All Ye Faithful My song pick five years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Joy/Angels We Have Heard on High My song pick six years ago today: The Kinks - Father Christ...

From: More Twisted Christmas ; Year: 1997; Genre: Hard Rock/Comedy/Christmas Music Here's something a little lighter for the season; this one's a rather comical track based on Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze about none other than the trials of the Christmas season. Hear Holidaze on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Bob Rivers - Aquaclaus My song pick two years ago today: The Honeycombs - Have I the Right? My song pick three years ago today: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Christmas All Over Again My song pick four years ago today: Rush - Tears My song pick five years ago today: Sylvia - Drifter My song pick six years ago today: Cheech & Chong - Santa Claus and His Old Lady My song pick seven years ago today: Supertramp - The Logical Song

From: Jazz to the World ; Year: 1995; Genre: Jazz/Christmas Music Here's a great piece of cool jazz for the Holiday; one from the 1995 compilation benefit album for the Special Olympics: Jazz to the World . For those who don't speak German, this is the original title for the traditional German song in English speaking countries changed to "O Christmas Tree." Originally the song was more or less an ode to a fir tree (a Tannenbaum ), which is also the favoured kind of tree to use as a Christmas tree; probably for that reason about a century ago the song got associated with the Christmas Holiday. Anyway, this is an awesome piece of music from three of the premier jazz musicians of our time. Hear a very jazzy version of O'Tannenbaum on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Louis Armstrong - Christmas Night in Harlem My song pick two years ago today: The Beatles - Please Please Me My song pick three years ago today: John Denver - Please Daddy (Don...

From: A Very Special Christmas ; Year: 1987; Genre: Traditional/Christmas Carol I'm continuing to pick songs for Christmas; this one definitely swings to the Sacred side of the Holiday, which is my favourite side. It's a traditional song that is originally a Basque hymn about the Archangel Gabriel coming to Mary to tell her the glorious news that she would be the mother of Jesus. Actually some of the words of the song come from the Gospel of Luke, so it's actually a lot older yet. Hear Gabriel's Message on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Sly and the Family Stone - Bad Risk My song pick two years ago today: Bob Dylan - See That My Grave is Kept Clean My song pick three years ago today: Bob Rivers & Twisted Radio - I Am Santa Claus My song pick four years ago today: Daft Punk - End of Line My song pick five years ago today: Avatar (Savatage) - Rock Me My song pick six years ago today: Savatage - White Witch My song pick seven years ago...

From: A Soulful Christmas ; Year: 1968; Genre: Soul/Funk I'm still not only picking Christmas songs, but am also keeping my streak of Funky Fridays going; this pick actually marks my 67th straight. This track, from none other than the Godfather of Soul himself, is quite the bouncy funk tune complete with a lot of activism; an excellent track for this time of year. Hear Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Police - So Lonely My song pick two years ago today: Ben E. King - Stand By Me My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow My song pick four years ago today: Nightwish - Wishmaster My song pick five years ago today: The Violent Femmes - Color Me Once My song pick six years ago today: The Who - Eminence Front My song pick seven years ago today: John Fogerty - Almost Saturday Night

From: We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year ; Year: 2008; Genre: Metal/Christmas Song Here's another heavy metal version of a Christmas song, this time from Alice Cooper and company's ever-present way of performing. I love the way he turns what would normally be a children's song into an awesome nightmarish sounding song for the season. Hear a metal version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Ventures - Sleigh Ride My song pick two years ago today: The Miracles featuring Bill "Smokey" Robinson - Shop Around My song pick three years ago today: Louis Armstrong - Christmas in New Orleans My song pick four years ago today: Boston - A Man I'll Never Be My song pick five years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Blue Collar My song pick six years ago today: John Denver - Season Suite - Winter My song pick seven years ago today: Band of Horses - The Funeral

From: A Twisted Christmas ; Year: 2006; Genre: Metal/Christmas Music I'm trying to get into the Christmas mood lately so I figured that I would post something appropriate. This is an excellent metal take on the traditional favourite, but far, far more listenable; complete with the gifts including bottles of Jack, spandex pants, leather jackets, and silver crosses. Oh yeah, merry Christmas. Hear Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days of Christmas) on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Stratovarius - Learning to Fly My song pick two years ago today: Miles Davis - Green in Blue My song pick three years ago today: Tarot - Midwinter Nights My song pick four years ago today: Henry Mancini - A Shot in the Dark My song pick five years ago today: Finntroll - Jaktens Tid My song pick six years ago today: Band of Horses - St. Augustine My song pick seven years ago today: Dan Fogelberg - Leader of the Band

From: Third Stage ; Year: 1986; Genre: Hard Rock Same story, different day... had this band on my mind and decided to pick one of their songs. This is, of course, one of the main hits from the album, but is actually kind of a mini opus and clocks in a just over five minutes, but still gets a lot of airplay anyway. Hear Can'tcha Say (Believe in Me)/Still in Love on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Molly Hatchet - Dreams I'll Never See My song pick two years ago today: Miles Davis - Straight, No Chaser My song pick three years ago today: Triumph - Hold On My song pick four years ago today: Jack Black and Jason Segel - The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth My song pick five years ago today: John Denver - Poems, Prayers and Promises My song pick six years ago today: Crosby, Stills & Nash - Marrakesh Express My song pick seven years ago today: Jethro Tull - We Used To Know

From: On the Sunday of Life ; Year: 1992; Genre: Progressive Rock/Psychedelic Rock I'm in the mood for some more Porcupine Tree this morning; the feel and the music of this early track works really well today. Hear This Long Silence on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Stone of Love My song pick two years ago today: The Crickets (Buddy Holley) - That'll Be the Day My song pick three years ago today: Alestorm - Keelhauled My song pick four years ago today: Jethro Tull - My God My song pick five years ago today: Wolfsheim - Once in a Lifetime My song pick six years ago today: Grand Funk Railroad - I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home) My song pick seven years ago today: Pet Shop Boys - So Hard

From: Spectres ; Year: 1977; Genre: Hard Rock Ever since watching one of the many sequels from the Japanese Godzilla series I had this very popular song from the band running through my mind; it seemed only fitting that I should pick it. Hear Godzilla on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Tangerine Dream - White Eagle My song pick two years ago today: Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel My song pick three years ago today: Rare Earth - I Just Want to Celebrate My song pick four years ago today: Top Gear Band - Red Light Spells Danger My song pick five years ago today: Azteca - Love is a Stranger My song pick six years ago today: Danzig - Mother My song pick seven years ago today: Savatage - Gutter Ballet

From: Edge of Thorns ; Year: 1993; Genre: Progressive Metal Last night I had another song from Edge of Thorns come on my playlist and it got me in the mood for more Savatage and from the album as well. This one's an awesome song from all sides, but Criss Oliva's guitar and Zachary Stevens especially shine on this track; I especially love those middle-eastern modes played on the guitar, fantastic. Hear Degrees of Sanity on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Extreme - Get the Funk Out My song pick two years ago today: Bill Haley & His Comets - Rock Around the Clock My song pick three years ago today: Steve Vai - I'm the Hell Outta Here My song pick four years ago today: Fear Factory - Replica My song pick five years ago today: David Bowie - Changes My song pick six years ago today: Heart - Black On Black II My song pick seven years ago today: Fontella Bass - Rescue Me

From: . ..Butt of Course ; Year: 1974; Genre: Funk/Soul Today is my 66th straight, in my uninterrupted steak of making Funky Friday picks. While this one's not as epic as some of his other tracks, it's still a good one and I like it. Funk is definitely a musical form for those who like to have fun and smile and Jimmy Castor and his band definitely delivered on a regular basis. Hear E-Man Boogie on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Yes - The Man You Always Wanted Me to Be My song pick two years ago today: Soundgarden - Non-State Actor My song pick three years ago today: The Mushroom Tabernacle Choir - 12 Drugs of Christmas My song pick four years ago today: David Bowie - Ashes to Ashes My song pick five years ago today: Ian Anderson - In the Moneylender's Temple My song pick six years ago today: Dobie Grey - Drift Away My song pick seven years ago today: Lobo - Gypsy and the Midnight Ghost

From: Milestones ; Year: 1958 (1946); Genre: Bebop Jazz I'm in the mood for some jazz this morning, and looked no further than the great sounds of some early Miles Davis. This is one of his most famous earlier hits, in fact it's one of his more famous songs period. Great playing all around on this amazing track. Hear Milestones on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Thin Lizzy - Warriors My song pick two years ago today: Soundgarden - Taree My song pick three years ago today: Lighthouse - Pretty Lady My song pick four years ago today: Ugly Kid Joe - Mr. Recordman My song pick five years ago today: Chet Atkins & Jerry Reed - Something My song pick six years ago today: Buddy Holly & the Crickets - Well... All Right My song pick seven years ago today: Fleetwood Mac - Dreams

From: To Hell with the Devil ; Year: 1986; Genre: Metal I was in need to pick something different today and looked no further than another band that I have yet to pick a song from. It's quite a good blend, mixing a Christian message along with the great sound that is metal. Hear To Hell with the Devil on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up My song pick two years ago today: Alestorm - Leviathan My song pick three years ago today: Rush - What You're Doing My song pick four years ago today: Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Bright Moments My song pick five years ago today: Maddy Prior - The Fabled Hare My song pick six years ago today: Chuck Berry - Almost Grown My song pick seven years ago today: Gerry Rafferty - Right Down The Line

From: Chet Atkins Picks on the Hits ; Year: 1972; Genre: Instrumental Pop/Rock I was in the mood for something a bit more mellow and this rather beautiful cover of the Don McLean classic seemed to fit my mood the best. In actuality this is probably my favourite version of the song even over the original. Hear Chet Atkins' version of Vincent on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Bob Dylan - Forever Young My song pick two years ago today: Les Paul & Mary Ford - How High the Moon My song pick three years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Rain is Falling My song pick four years ago today: Rush - Red Lenses My song pick five years ago today: The Kinks - A Rock & Roll Fantasy My song pick six years ago today: Quincy Jones - Soul Bossa Nova My song pick seven years ago today: Jethro Tull - My Sunday Feeling

From: Wake Me When It's Over ; Year: 1989; Genre: Glam Metal/Hard Rock I hadn't heard this track in ages, (about 15 years or more maybe), and after it started running through my mind, as I normally do, I decided to pick it. Anyway, this is very much 1980s metal with the overdressed, showy music and image to go along with it; a nice piece of nostalgia to take along with me through the day. Hear House of Pain on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Dire Straits - Skateaway My song pick two years ago today: Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie - Bloomdido My song pick three years ago today: Molly Hatchet - One Man's Pleasure My song pick four years ago today: Hawkwind - High Rise My song pick five years ago today: Joachim Witt - Bataillon 'd Amour My song pick six years ago today: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Ohio My song pick seven years ago today: Donovan - Sunshine Superman

From: The Sentinel ; Year: 1984; Genre: Progressive Rock I really didn't have a song ready to pick today, but felt like something from Pallas; something from their Sentinel album in particular. Sadly unless I forgo my old rule on not picking a song twice this will be the last time I get to pick one from the record; I've picked every other song unless I go to the three more pop oriented songs that the record company forced upon the band on the record's original release that is. Anyway, just like the other material from the album this one's an incredible piece of 1980s progressive rock, which came towards the end of the concept. Hear Atlantis on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Beatles - Blackbird My song pick two years ago today: Vaughn Monroe - (Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend My song pick three years ago today: Bob Dylan - Knockin' on Heaven's Door My song pick four years ago today: Frank Zappa - Dumb All Over My song ...

From: Subdivisions , Year: 1982; Genre: Progressive Rock/Hard Rock I have to say that every time I listen to the Signals album I like it even more, it's a great album; there are really no weak songs, every song is strong in its own way. Strangely enough, this song is one of, if not the last song where Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson wrote lyrics. Hear Chemistry on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rick James - Super Freak My song pick two years ago today: The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Three to Get Ready My song pick three years ago today: Rammstein - Rammstein My song pick four years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - You Send Me My song pick five years ago today: Frijid Pink - House of the Rising Sun My song pick six years ago today: Jaco Pastorius - Portrait of Tracy My song pick seven years ago today: Rush - Time Stand Still

From: Khronos ; Year: 2003; Genre: Funk/R&B I made it though a week to another Funky Friday , actually this one would also fit with Max's old F---y Friday theme as well. Despite the profane title this is an excellent, soulful track and amongst my favourites from Maktub. Hear the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Saga - It's Time (Chapter Three) My song pick two years ago today: Rush - Red Sector A My song pick three years ago today: Muse - Exogenesis: Symphony Parts 1,2, and 3 My song pick four years ago today: Hawkwind - Spirit of the Age My song pick five years ago today: Stuart Hamm - Flow My Tears My song pick six years ago today: Nightwish - I Wish I Had An Angel My song pick seven years ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan - Pride and Joy

From: Nil Recurring ; Year: 2007; Genre: Progressive Metal I've been listening to a great deal of music from Porcupine Tree for the last couple of weeks; this is one of the instrumentals that really caught my attention. It features Robert Fripp of King Crimson fame, which actually gives it a great deal of uniqueness even among stuff from PT. Hear Nil Recurring on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Keeps Me Wondering Why My song pick two years ago today: Fred Astaire - Puttin' on the Ritz My song pick three years ago today: Puhdys - Wenn Traume Sterben My song pick four years ago today: Jim Reeves - It's Nothin' to Me My song pick five years ago today: Rush - Twilight Zone My song pick six years ago today: The Firm - Radioactive My song pick seven years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - Shot in the Dark

From: In the Wake of Poseidon ; Year: 1970; Genre: Progressive Rock For about a week now I've been meaning to pick one from King Crimson and today I'm finally getting around to it. In my opinion this song is among the best from King Crimson; a truly beautiful and very complex piece. Hear In the Wake of Poseidon on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Moody Blues - Sitting at the Wheel My song pick two years ago today: Harry James and His Orchestra with Kitty Kallen - 11:60 PM My song pick three years ago today: Billy Idol - Flesh for Fantasy My song pick four years ago today: The Coasters - Along Came Jones My song pick five years ago today: Grand Funk Railroad - Footstompin' Music My song pick six years ago today: Petula Clark - Don't Sleep in the Subway My song pick seven years ago today: Band of Horses - Wicked Gil

From: Dreamboat Annie ; Year: 1975; Genre: Hard Rock When starting posting this morning I had another song in mind and ready to pick, but for some reason this one came into my mind and I just had to choose it instead. This is one of their heavier, riff driven songs, and of course the flute solo only adds more to such a great song. Hear Sing Child on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Soundgarden - A Thousand Days Before My song pick two years ago today: The Ink Spots with Ella Fitzgerald - I'm Making Believe My song pick three years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Vengeance (The Pact) My song pick four years ago today: Hawkwind - Sleep of a Thousand Tears My song pick five years ago today: The Who - Squeeze Box My song pick six years ago today: Steely Dan - FM (No Static At All) My song pick seven years ago today: The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night

From: Leftoverture ; Year: 1976; Genre: Progressive Rock For no reason whatsoever I felt like listening to this album today; this was one of the singles off the record and while not as great as the main track, it's still an excellent one. Hear What's on My Mind on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Appalachian Snowfall My song pick two years ago today: The Kinks - Dead End Street My song pick three years ago today: Megaherz - Kopfschuss My song pick four years ago today: Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper My song pick five years ago today: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Refugee My song pick six years ago today: Yes - Your Move/All Good People My song pick seven years ago today: King Harvest - Dancing in the Moonlight