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

From: GRIS-gris ; Year: 1968; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Funk/Psychedelic Rock I couldn't help but pick something from the late-great Dr. John today, so I thought I would go back to his debut album. The awesome blend of jazzy musical styles throughout this track are the main draw for me without a doubt. Him and his band really knew how to lay it down, but wot do you expect from a group of highly proficient musicians steeped in the musical melting pot that is New Orleans?   Hear Mama Roux on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Accept - Bulletproof   My song pick 2 years ago today: Mel McDaniel - Bordertown Woman   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Main Ingredient - You've Got To Take It (If You Want It)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Soundgarden - Heretic   My song pick 5 years ago today: Black 47 - Hard Times My song pick 6 years ago today: Rainbow - Stone Cold My song pick 7 years ago today: For Squirrels - Disenchanted My song pick 8 years ago today: AC/DC - J

From: Last Kiss ; Year: 1973; Genre: Pop/Rock Hear is one of the many covers of this famous Teenage Tragedy/Death song that was a popular sub-genre back in the '50s and '60s. Every now and then the most popular J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers' cover will seemingly pop back up into the pop culture when either another band records it, and/or it appears in some movie or television show etc. When the Canadian band Wednesday, (later known as Wenzday), did their version of it was one of the first instances thereof. Theirs made them a pretty big hit in and of itself, but, as stated prior, got the famous version back on the charts as well. It has happened since, most notably when Pearl Jam covered it back in '98/'99.   Hear Last Kiss on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jigsaw - Prizefighter   My song pick 2 years ago today: Molly Hatchet - Boogie No More   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Hollies - The Air That I Breathe   My song pick 4 years ago tod

From: Blodsvept ; Year: 2013; Genre: Black Metal/Folk Metal I have not really listened to Finntroll in some time, so I decided that I would. Every now and then their music just seems absolutely perfect; today is one of those times I suppose. From wot I can understand, this one seems to be about cursed people who turn into flesh-eating beasts at night and back to human, (or something of the sort), during the day. As always, their music is truly something to behold, and I am glad to see that they have not lost a step.   Hear Ett folk förbannat on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Dance, Dance, Dance   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Offspring - Bad Habit   My song pick 3 years ago today: Midnight Oil - Antarctica   My song pick 4 years ago today: Steely Dan - Black Cow   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Moody Blues - Stop! My song pick 6 years ago today: The New Riders of the Purple Sage - Panama Red My song pick 7 years ago today: Led Ze

From: Voices Carry ; Year: 1985; Genre: New Wave I often wonder where exactly these songs that I have not heard in ages reside in my brain... must be a quite large and well-hidden area. Anyway, this is one that I heard a lot back in the day and still like it a lot, but haven't heard in a long while. Another 1980s classic that has aged incredibly well and, whilst still having that nostalgia factor, does not sound dated.   Hear Voices Carry on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Kinks - Susannah's Still Alive   My song pick 2 years ago today: Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - High As Apple Pie (Slice I and II)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Mr. Bungle - Platypus   My song pick 5 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Sir James the Rose My song pick 6 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - My Friends My song pick 7 years ago today: Hot Butter - Telstar My song

From: Labour of Love ; Year: 1983; Genre: Reggae There is something that is just comforting for me hearing the music of UB40.    Hear Please Don't Make Me Cry on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Debbie Harry - Chrome   My song pick 2 years ago today: Funkadelic - Maggot Brain   My song pick 3 years ago today: Jim Steinman - Left in the Dark   My song pick 4 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Flat Broke Love   My song pick 5 years ago today: 4 Non Blondes - Spaceman My song pick 6 years ago today: Black 47 - I Got Laid On James Joyce's Grave My song pick 7 years ago today: Queen - Keep Yourself Alive My song pick 8 years ago today: Brass Construction - Changin' My song pick 9 years ago today: Stealers Wheel - Right or Wrong My song pick 10 years ago today: Rush - Before and After My song pick 11 years ago today: Stratovarius - Atlantis My song pick 12 years ago today: Alestorm - Pirate Song My song pick 13 years ago today: Stev

From: Happy Families ; Year: 1982; Genre: Synthpop/New Wave Had this record on my mind once again, you know the rest.... Kind of a neat bluesy synth/new wave track, which was one of their initial hits. Apparently was not on this album in the U.K., but was included on this side of "the pond."   Hear God's Kitchen on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Rick & The Entire World - No No No Momerto   My song pick 2 years ago today: Faith No More - Stripsearch   My song pick 3 years ago today: Depeche Mode - World in my Eyes   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Allman Brothers Band - Firing Line   My song pick 5 years ago today: Gerry Rafferty - Island My song pick 6 years ago today: White Zombie - Black Sunshine My song pick 7 years ago today: The Headhunters - Actual Proof My song pick 8 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Old Ghosts My song pick 9 years ago today: Rush - The Wreckers My song pick 10 years ago today: Ian Anderson - After These Wars My

From: Highway Call ; Year: 1974; Genre: Country/Rock Again, wow, I cannot believe that another one of my main musical heroes passed away. Sure, the man was 80 years old and his health fading, but for some reason personally I never thought of him dying.... I guess this only leaves legendary drummer/percussionist extraordinaire "Jaimoe" Jai Johanny Johanson as the only living original member of the Allman Brothers Band; I know the band has been over for about a decade now, but still it is quite something. Whilst the Allman Brothers are amongst my top five favourite musical acts, I thought I would delve into Dickey Betts' solo catalogue for this pick. This is, of course, the title-track of his debut album, which was released just after the Allman Brothers classic Brothers and Sisters , which was at the time just after Duane Allman's tragic death as well as Barry Oakley's, so there was a lot of sadness and upset in the band. Anyway, it's very interesting on this t

From: Stop and Smell the Roses ; Year: 1974; Genre: Funk/Country/Blues Something quite different for this Funky Friday . Here's a country-funk gem from the extremely prolific songwriter and performer Mac Davis; even though this is the first song that I have chosen by him, I can guarantee I have chose some that he wrote. Boy, he does get right to the point and cuts deep in this commentary about the titular Lucas in a bluesy country funk style that I wouldn't be surprised to hear Primus do a cover of.   Hear Lucas Was a Redneck on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Carmen - People Dressed in Black   My song pick 2 years ago today: Boston - We're Ready   My song pick 3 years ago today: Alestorm - Treasure Island   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Human League - Do or Die   My song pick 5 years ago today: Humble Pie - Get Down To It My song pick 6 years ago today: King Crimson - Exiles My song pick 7 years ago today: Soundgarden - By Crooked Steps My song

From: Cooleyhighharmony ; Year: 1992; Genre: Doo-Wop/R&B I don't know how someone could listen to this cover of the classic doo-wop mainstay originally recorded by The Five Satins and not have a smile on your face or at least a feeling of content. It has been interesting revisiting Cooleyhighharmony and realizing just how many memories from my early to mid teens that are tied to Boyz II Men's earlier work. Anyway, it was originally recorded as part of the soundtrack to the miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream and became an instant giant hit. Whilst it did not originally make it on their debut record, it was included on subsequent releases and is among the band's top songs.   Hear In the Still of the Night (I'll Remember) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - One Rainy Wish   My song pick 2 years ago today: April Wine - Cat's Claw   My song pick 3 years ago today: Alphaville - Big In Japan   My song pick 4 years

From: Master of the Hawaiian Guitar, Volume Two ; Year: 1987 (1938); Genre: Swing Jazz/Hit Parade/Hawaiian Every time I hear this master of music, I am in awe; his music just for some reason doesn't sound dated to me personally, even though much of his music is over 75 years old. Anyway, this is his very unique take on the George Gershwin classic, (even though it wasn't that old of a song at the time he recorded it), and as I said, it has aged incredibly well. Also, back in 2012 Sol Ho'opi'i's recording was made part of the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry list.   Hear Fascinating Rhythm on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Kenny Rogers & the First Edition - Something's Burning   My song pick 2 years ago today: Queen - I Can't Live With You   My song pick 3 years ago today: Deep Purple - Throw My Bones   My song pick 4 years ago today: Foghat - Night Shift My song pick 5 years ago today: Rammstein - Los My song pick 6

From: Quartet ; Year: 1982; Genre: New Wave Whilst taking a couple of minutes to really "get going," I actually love that long build and how it comes back down; it adds a lot to the song's dynamics.   Hear Visions in Blue on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Miami Sound Machine - Bad Boy   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Northern Pikes - She Ain't Pretty   My song pick 3 years ago today: Parliament - Wizard of Finance   My song pick 4 years ago today: ABBA - Super Trouper   My song pick 5 years ago today: Pallas - Ghost My song pick 6 years ago today: UB40 - Here I Am (Come and Take Me) My song pick 7 years ago today: The Charlie Daniels Band - Long Haired Country Boy My song pick 8 years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Lodi My song pick 9 years ago today: Lynyrd Skynyrd - All I Can Do Is Write About It My song pick 10 years ago today: Frank Zappa - Montana My song pick 11 years ago today: Boston - Don't Look Back My

From: The Body, The Blood, The Machine ; Year: 2006; Genre: Indie Rock I've kept coming back to the somewhat prophetic concept album as of late; this is one of the darker tracks amongst a lot of darkness on it. However, I've always found The Thermals' music quite odd in that if you don't really focus too much on the lyrics they come off as just some really good upbeat songs. Very interesting is that I was first introduced to them and this album through the soundtrack of an NHL 2K video game over 15 years ago and have liked the band since having it play whilst engaged in a hockey fight.   Hear An Ear For Baby on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Hawkwind - Jack of Shadows   My song pick 2 years ago today: George Clinton - Maximumisness   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bruce Hornsby & The Range - Look Out Any Window   My song pick 4 years ago today: Marillion - This Strange Engine   My song pick 5 years ago today: 10cc - Good Morning Judge My song pi

From: Beautiful Sunday ; Year: 1972; Genre: Pop/Rock It's one of the first really warm days of the year thus far and I thought that I'd choose an appropriate song as well. This is one that I have not heard in ages, but is some fun early '70s pop to enjoy spring getting underway to.   Hear Beautiful Sunday on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - Hallucinations   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Kinks - Sleepwalker   My song pick 3 years ago today: Carmen - The Horseman   My song pick 4 years ago today: Daniel Lanois - That's The Way It Is   My song pick 5 years ago today: Raspberries - Go All The Way My song pick 6 years ago today: The Thermals - Test Pattern My song pick 7 years ago today: Kool & The Gang - Jungle Boogie My song pick 8 years ago today: The Beatles - For You Blue My song pick 9 years ago today: Boston - I Had a Good Time My song pick 10 years ago today: Sky - FIFO (suite) My song pick 11 years ago t

From: Alive 'N Kickin' ; Year: 1970; Genre: Pop/Rock One I have not heard in some time, but it was on my brain a bit recently, so I am picking it today. Apparently, Alive 'N Kickin' is categorized as a "one hit wonder," with this being that hit, which is apt. While they did not have much success afterward, they have been together for the most part since the late '70s and also had a second studio album released in 1980.   Hear Tighter, Tighter on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Sweet - Call Me   My song pick 2 years ago today: Lou Rawls - Groovy People   My song pick 3 years ago today: Marillion - Dry Land   My song pick 4 years ago today: Ray Davies - The Getaway   My song pick 5 years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Keep On Chooglin' My song pick 6 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - Luther the Anthropoid (Ape Man) My song pick 7 years ago today: Pallas - Falling Down My song pick 8 years ago today: Gordon

From: Join Me and Let's Be Free ; Year: 1975; Genre: Soul/Funk Been ridiculously busy the last couple of days, but one constant is that Wilson Pickett has kept popping up on my playlist. So, nothing better than some of his funky soul and signature scream/wail to close this workweek out.   Hear Smokin' in the United Nations on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jim Croce - Speedball Tucker   My song pick 2 years ago today: Steely Dan - Pretzel Logic   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Beatles - And Your Bird Can Sing   My song pick 4 years ago today: King Crimson - Industry   My song pick 5 years ago today: Parliament - (Gloryhallastoopid) Pin The Tail On The Funky My song pick 6 years ago today: Marillion - That Time of the Night (The Short Straw) My song pick 7 years ago today: The J. Geils Band - Love Stinks My song pick 8 years ago today: Savatage - Of Rage and War My song pick 9 years ago today: Frank Black - Headache My song pick 10 years ago toda

From: If You Saw Thro' My Eyes ; Year: 1971; Genre: Folk Rock Kinda shocked yesterday to discover that prolific drummer and vocalist Gerry Conway passed away almost two weeks ago; he apparently had been fighting a battle with ALS . Almost universally across the many band mates and artists he played for said he was easy to get along with and an amazing musician. Whilst many might not immediately know who he was, they probably have heard him with bands/artists such as Iain Matthews, Al Stewart, Grimms, Richard Thompson, Mike McGear, Jethro Tull, Cat Stevens, Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, Fotheringay, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, amongst others.   Hear Morgan the Pirate on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Soundgarden - Tighter & Tighter   My song pick 2 years ago today: Damn Yankees - Runaway   My song pick 3 years ago today: Camel - Lies   My song pick 4 years ago today: Hawkwind - 65 Million Years Ago   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Police - Don't

From: ...And I Know You Wanna Dance ; Year:1966; Genre: Rock Noted that I had not chosen a song from Johnny Rivers in a long while, so I decided that today I would. Whilst probably his greatest hit and his signature tune, it actually had its genesis as a theme song for an American localization of the British spy show Danger Man ; as well as the localized new theme they also re-titled the show Secret Agent . Apparently the original T.V. title had only a single verse and chorus, but was later recorded live with the extra verse and additional choruses that was part of this album and the one that really transcended the song's original purpose.   Hear Secret Agent Man on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Rush - Resist   My song pick 2 years ago today: Heart - The Oldest Story in the World   My song pick 3 years ago today: Cream - Sitting on Top of the World   My song pick 4 years ago today: Van Der Graaf Generator - Forever Falling   My song pick 5 years ago today: Genesi

From: The Midnight Special and other Southern Prison Songs ; Year: 1940; Genre: Blues/Folk Most probably are aware of this song from a plethora of recording artists over the last 70 or so years, but the version by Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter was among the first to popularize the song to a wide audience. The origins of the song are nebulous at best being that it was passed down from musician to musician with lyrics differing from one to the next for many years prior to Lead Belly recording his famous version; to say the least Midnight Special most likely originated in the 19th century in the southern U.S.. You just get the feeling of yearning and hope from this one from the perspective of a man incarcerated awaiting parole with the steam engine's headlamp lighting the cell giving comfort.   Hear Midnight Special on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Teen Archer   My song pick 2 years ago today: Triumph - Rock & Roll Machine   My so

From: Black is Black ; Year: 1966; Genre: Rock For about a week or so I have had Los Bravos' music playing in my head a lot, so I'm, of course, picking a song of theirs. This is one of their singles that apparently hit pretty big in Europe, The U.K. and Australia, but not as much in the U.S. or Canada. It is kind of odd because this one is more pop sounding than their other hits, but still has the raw emotion brought out with the vocals and music in a very Spanish fashion.   Hear I Don't Care on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Talking Heads - Burning Down the House   My song pick 2 years ago today: Grace Jones - Slave to the Rhythm   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Guess Who? - Believe Me   My song pick 4 years ago today: Journey - Open Arms   My song pick 5 years ago today: Peter Frampton - Nassau/Baby, I Love Your Way My song pick 6 years ago today: Hawkwind - Nuclear Drive My song pick 7 years ago today: Alice in Chains - Dirt My song pick 8 ye