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

From: Decca (3258 A) ; Year: 1940; Genre: Doo-Wop/Hit Parade I guess it's another February 29th, which only happens every four years, so here's a very pretty track for this Leap Year. Timeless beauty, just timeless this song is... Bill Kenny's distinct and gorgeous voice just puts this one not only over the top, but beyond the stratosphere; it's one of those pieces that you have to repeat at least three or four times when you hear it due to it being that good.    Hear Whispering Grass (Don't Tell the Trees) on YouTube.       Picks for previous February 29ths (Leap Years): My leap year pick on 2.29.20: Steely Dan - Time Out of Mind My leap year pick on 2.29.16: Van Halen - Jump My leap year pick on 2.29.12: Cheech & Chong - Cheborneck My leap year pick on 2.29.08: ABBA - The Visitors    

From: Okeh – 40989 ; Year: 1928; Genre: Classical/Jazz I noticed that recently I have chosen artists in the " E " category three times over the last four days either by accident of subconsciously, so I thought that I would just go ahead and pick one more "E."  Anyway, I saw I have to date only chosen two from the late-great guitar virtuoso Eddie Lang, so here's another one. This rendition of the standard by Sergei Rachmaninoff is quite amazing to hear; only he and his guitar are present on this recording, which was a real novelty at the time as the guitar was not really treated as a lead instrument to be spotlighted. Lang and a few others were the real pioneers of making guitar music a highlight of mainstream; basically everyone from Django Reinhardt all the way down to Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani along with the other great guitar virtuosos that dazzle and shred to this day can be traced back to Eddie Lang. He is definitel...

From: August ; Year: 1986; Genre: Rock Just had an "itch," so to speak, to pick a song from Eric Clapton today; mid to late '80s to be specific. Behind the Mask was originally written and recorded by the synthpop band Yellow Magic Orchestra back in 1979/1980 and was covered by Michael Jackson, who added to the lyrical content during the recording of his album Thriller, but was not actually released apparently until a couple of years ago. Although, some mixes and remixes were apparently released in the intervening time. Greg Phillinganes did record and release a cover in '84 and supposedly he, in turn, introduced the song to Eric Clapton, who recorded his cover in '86.  I like how he added his own style to the track both vocally and musically; plus with the legends Nathan East (bass), and Phil Collins (drums) it could only sound excellent.   Hear Behind the Mask on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Exile - Heart & Soul   My song pick 2 y...

From: Turn the Lights Back On (single); Year: 2024; Genre: Pop/Rock I have never been, or pretended to be, a person with a finger on the pulse of pop culture or "what is new and hot," but I've definitely been aware that a new single from the Piano Man himself, Billy Joel, was about to release. Taken at face-value, Turn the Lights Back On is some fun nostalgia, or a warm "nightcap" for us fans who have loved his music all along, was born and grew up with it; for me it's a lot of both. Whilst you can easily tell there was some A.I. and other computer aids involved to some extent, he doesn't try to fool anyone, and in essence is being his normal, open, unfiltered self. I really like how he pays homage to his different eras in the song and in the music video as well. If you are like me and love the late '70s/early '80s eras the best, it'll be a warm and welcoming familiar sound and feel. In any case he has done what he does best: give us someth...

From: The Final Countdown ; Year: 1986; Genre: Power Metal/Hard Rock Noticed that I had yet to pick this one from Europe, which is their most famous song on this side of the Atlantic; or perhaps just the U.S. at least. Anyway, even some 35+ years on it is an iconic anthem of sorts, which was, from what I understand, written around a "fanfare" on the synthesizer that was meant to introduce the band when coming on stage, but was wisely used instead for a basis for the track. Heck, even though many I have heard that malign the band and the song, it is still just as popular as it was back then; probably more with the younger generations discovering it.   Hear The Final Countdown on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze   My song pick 2 years ago today: Archie Bell & The Drells - The Soul City Walk   My song pick 3 years ago today: Xerath - I Hold Dominion   My song pick 4 years ago t...

From: Enter the Heart ; Year: 1998; Genre: Flamenco/Flamenco Rock Yesterday whilst entering the freeway this track came on; it was the perfect song at the exact perfect time.... I don't know wot it is about flamenco and all of its subgenres, but it immediately gets me in one of those great moods and if I happen to be behind the wheel of a car, my right foot gets real heavy; like it feels as if it is made out of dark matter.    Hear Flamenco Wind on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Reunion - A Brighter Day   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Guess Who? - Guess I'll Find a Place   My song pick 3 years ago today: Klaatu - Maybe I'll Move to Mars   My song pick 4 years ago today: Journey - Just the Same Way   My song pick 5 years ago today: Graham Central Station - Mirror My song pick 6 years ago today: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Little Wing My song pick 7 years ago today: The Cosmic Sound Orchestra - Movin' Groovin' My ...

From: Laid Black ; Year: 2018; Genre: Funk/Jazz Fusion/Hip Hop Felt like hearing something from the one and only Marcus Miller to bring this workweek to a close. Thought that I would check out his most recent studio record; as always, the master composer combines varying genres to make something quite unique with this track.   Hear Keep 'Em Running on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Iain Matthews - Darkness, Darkness   My song pick 2 years ago today: Laura Branigan - Forever Young   My song pick 3 years ago today: Rhythm Machine - Lil's Place   My song pick 4 years ago today: Van Der Graaf Generator - Afterwards   My song pick 5 years ago today: Huey Lewis & The News - Workin' for a Livin' My song pick 6 years ago today: Melvins - Eye Flys My song pick 7 years ago today: Pallas - Shadow of the Sun My song pick 8 years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Radio My song pick 9 years ago today: Genesis - Harlequin ...

From: Bachman & Turner ; Year: 2010; Genre: Hard Rock It amazes me that every time I put this album on how much they all sound precisely like they did back in their heyday some 35 years earlier; especially the vocals. I only wish that they had recorded more before Fred Turner retired from touring, which I can understand with him now being an octogenarian and all. Still, that voice... most performers less than half his age cannot belt it out like he does.   Hear Rollin' Along on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Yes - And You and I   My song pick 2 years ago today: Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli (Quintette du Hot Club de France) - Blue Drag   My song pick 3 years ago today: Warren Zevon - Nighttime in the Switching Yard   My song pick 4 years ago today: April Wine - Silver Dollar   My song pick 5 years ago today: Smokehouse - Polar Funk My song pick 6 years ago today: Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall My song p...

From: Nomzamo ; Year: 1987; Genre: Progressive Rock IQ is one of those "second wave progressive rock" or " neo-prog " bands that I have been meaning to put more into my rotation because I really do like their material. I believe that Nomazamo was their third studio album; as it turned out this song, which is the third shortest in length, (at a radio-friendly 4:37), became one of my top favourites from it. They really managed to pack everything in a somewhat compact package.   Hear Promises (As the Years Go By) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Jackson 5 - Doctor, My Eyes   My song pick 2 years ago today: Pearls Before Swine - I Saw the World   My song pick 3 years ago today: Primus - Pudding Time   My song pick 4 years ago today: Stanley Clarke - Play the Bass 10^3   My song pick 5 years ago today: Steve Miller Band - True Fine Love My song pick 6 years ago today: Twelfth Night - We Are Sane My song pick 7 years ago toda...

From: Feuer Und Flamme ; Year: 1985; Genre: Neue Deutsche Welle/Rock/Pop To be honest, I do not know why I haven't chosen more song by Nena, this album in particular. Jung wie du , ( Young as you ), is one of their tracks written by the great songwriting duo of Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen (music) and Carlo Karges (lyrics) of which wrote many of their bigger songs both by themselves and together.   Hear Jung wie du on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Klaatu - The Loneliest of Creatures   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child (Slight Return)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Chet Atkins and Merle Travis - Nine Pound Hammer   My song pick 4 years ago today: Blondie - One Way or Another   My song pick 5 years ago today: Faith No More - The Real Thing My song pick 6 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Doctor To My Disease My song pick 7 years ago today: Dire Straits - Private Investigations My song pick ...

From: Deep Purple In Rock ; Year: 1970; Genre: Hard Rock Had Deep Purple on my mind once again. I remember that I picked this record up in a huge, heavy box of vinyl that was gifted to me. As with all Deep Purple of this era, it is musically complex in their hard rock and early heavy metal style. When I put this track on I really enjoy the music all around, but, as always, Jon Lord's mastery of keys gains my undivided attention.   Hear Flight of the Rat on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Jacob's Tales   My song pick 2 years ago today: Black 47 - Black 47   My song pick 3 years ago today: Sly & The Family Stone - Dance to the Music   My song pick 4 years ago today: Primus - Prelude to a Crawl/Hennepin Crawler   My song pick 5 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Old Aces Die Hard My song pick 6 years ago today: Harlequin - Sweet Things in Life My song pick 7 years ago today: Three Dog Night - The Show Must Go On M...

From: Tell Laura I Love Her (Single); Year: 1960; Genre: Pop/Rock This is quite a sad song of that Post-War to the mid-1960s sub-genre of "teenage tragedy" songs. The main character in this tragic tale wishes to buy his sweetheart a wedding ring and enters an auto race to win the money to do so. Of course, this is a teenage tragedy, so you can probably guess the outcome without a spoiler. I will say that Ray Peterson does a great job selling the emotions of the song, especially toward the end; the organ really helps sell it as well.   Hear Tell Laura I Love Her on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Beatles - You Got to Hide Your Love Away   My song pick 2 years ago today: Funkadelic - What is Soul?   My song pick 3 years ago today: Visage - Fade to Grey   My song pick 4 years ago today: Dream Theater - Paralyzed   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Clifford Brown & Max Roach Quintet - Parisian Thoroughfare My song pick 6 y...

From: Fire on the Bayou ; Year: 1975; Genre: Funk/Soul/R&B Don't know why, but this just felt like a good song for my pick today. This is, of course, a cover of the song written and originally recorded by Russ Ballard with the band Argent and later made famous by Three Dog Night. The Meters really added a lot to it with their funk and R&B style, plus, adding another couple of minutes to the track's length to add to the instrumental sections to enhance the dancing aspects was a great move in my opinion.   Hear Liar on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Luther Vandross - Grown Thangs   My song pick 2 years ago today: Fleet Foxes - Sunblind   My song pick 3 years ago today: Steven Wilson - Count of Unease   My song pick 4 years ago today: Huey Lewis and the News - I Am There For You   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Moody Blues - Breaking Point My song pick 6 years ago today: Porcupine Tree - Waiting (Phase One and Phase...

From: Body Pressure ; Year: 1983; Genre: Funk Here's one that has been on my mind for about a week or so. It has a good funky beat and feel with just a small helping of disco to make it a great one to get down and dance to.   Hear Monster Monster on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Wishbone Ash - Anger in Harmony   My song pick 2 years ago today: Eurythmics - Missionary Man   My song pick 3 years ago today: Green River - Together We'll Never   My song pick 4 years ago today: Chris Squire - Safe (Canon Song)   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Chi-lites - Have You Seen Her? My song pick 6 years ago today: Roy Ayers - Funk in the Hole My song pick 7 years ago today: Hawkwind - Steppenwolf My song pick 8 years ago today: Ian Anderson - What-Ifs, Maybes And Might-Have-Beens My song pick 9 years ago today: Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water My song pick 10 years ago today: Rare Earth - Under God's Light My song pick 11 years...

From: Bloodrock 2 ; Year: 1972; Genre: Hard Rock/Progressive Rock Here's an interesting one; a story-driven song written around a tragedy in which the protagonist details what he sees and feels whilst slipping away after an aeroplane crash. Got to love the hard rock tour 'd force driven by that awesome rhythm section and the Hammond Organ; the way they fade with the lowering pitch really sells the ending, and of course that beloved sound of a Hammond Organ winding down with the final chord was a stroke of genius.   Hear D.O.A. on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: King Crimson - The Talking Drum   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Association - Never My Love   My song pick 3 years ago today: Boston - Walk On   My song pick 4 years ago today: Rush - Heresy   My song pick 5 years ago today: Sister Sledge - Do the Funk Do My song pick 6 years ago today: The Smashing Pumpkins - 1979 My song pick 7 years ago today: The Guess Who - Sh...

From: Paul McCartney ; Year: 1970; Genre: Blues Rock Here's an appropriate, short-but-sweet, bluesy instrumental track for today; like I said, perfect for today.   Hear Valentine Day on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The "5" Royales - Dedicated to the One I Love   My song pick 2 years ago today: Tesla - Love Song   My song pick 3 years ago today: Foreigner - I'll Get Even With You   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Clifford Brown & Max Roach Quintet - Delilah   My song pick 5 years ago today: Queen - My Fairy King My song pick 6 years ago today: Foo Fighters - Baker Street My song pick 7 years ago today: The Supremes (Diana Ross & the Supremes) - Back in My Arms Again My song pick 8 years ago today: Toto - Hydra My song pick 9 years ago today: Soundgarden - Hunted Down My song pick 10 years ago today: The (Detroit) Spinners - Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl My song pick 11 years ago today: John ...

From: As Far as Siam ; Year: 1981; Genre: Hard Rock Had Red Rider on my mind today and thought I would add another one of their songs to my blog. Their brand of harder rock just feels rather good to me most of the time, especially the use of instruments you don't normally hear in the genre.   Hear Cowboys in Hong Kong (As Far as Siam) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Lawrence Gowan - One Brief Shining Moment   My song pick 2 years ago today: Foreigner - Tramontane   My song pick 3 years ago today: Rush - Neurotica   My song pick 4 years ago today: Harlequin - Thinking of You   My song pick 5 years ago today: Band of Horses - Part One My song pick 6 years ago today: Maddy Prior - Deep in the Darkest Night My song pick 7 years ago today: April Wine - I Like to Rock My song pick 8 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - 19th Nervous Breakdown My song pick 9 years ago today: Luther - Funky Music (Is a Part of Me) My song pic...

From: Not of This Earth ; Year: 1986; Genre: Hard Rock Was intending on choosing one from another artist that Joe Satriani collaborates with, but instead went with him after listening to this record one more. Whilst this hard rocking guitar instrumental has al the virtuosity of the legend himself, it is still one that is easily digestible auditorily to those not as much into such virtuosity.   Hear Driving at Night on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Big Maybelle - Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Coasters - Run Red Run   My song pick 3 years ago today: Return to Forever - After the Cosmic Rain   My song pick 4 years ago today: Nazareth - This Flight Tonight   My song pick 5 years ago today: Sam Cooke - Wonderful World My song pick 6 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - For The Weekend My song pick 7 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Lights Out My song pick 8 years ago today: Larry G...

From: ABBA: The Album ; Year: 1977; Genre: Rock/Pop ABBA's The Name of the Game kept coming to mind today and it seemed like as good a time as any other to pick it. This is yet another in a long line of pop songs in which the band embedded with some impressive musical ideas and arrangements. I have always especially loved that funky synth bass intro and how it the line was implemented in the rest of the track.   Hear The Name of the Game on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Naked Eyes - Always Something There to Remind Me   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Cosmic Sound Orchestra - Fight   My song pick 3 years ago today: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - If You Leave   My song pick 4 years ago today: Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth   My song pick 5 years ago today: Midnight Oil - King of the Mountain My song pick 6 years ago today: The Wootens - Do I Do My song pick 7 years ago today: Berlin - No More Words My so...