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

From: Demons and Wizards ; Year: 1972; Genre: Hard Rock/Progressive Rock For me Uriah Heep has always been one that I mean to listen them more, but I never seem to be able to. Their catalogue is vast and their music is epic, so it is right up my alley and most of wot I've heard I really like. Anyway, this track is on the line of being a full-on metal with the high-proficiency progressive rock goodness; proto-metal at least.   Hear Rainbow Demon on YouTube. Hear a longer alternate recording on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Counting Crows - August And Everything After   My song pick 2 years ago today: 3rd Secret - Last Day of August   My song pick 3 years ago today: Van Morrison - Cold Wind in August   My song pick 4 years ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Tiger in a Spotlight   My song pick 5 years ago today: Max Roach - Blues Waltz My song pick 6 years ago today: David Bowie - After All My song pick 7 years ago today...

From: Life ; Year: 1968; Genre: Funk/Psychedelic Rock/Soul Nothing like the uplifting sound of Sly and the Family Stone to glide the workweek to a safe landing. Actually just recently started listening to this record and am really liking wot I am hearing. Not that this is a "forgotten album," but it is overshadowed by both its predecessor and its successor, which were an amazing classic and landmark recording respectively. Whilst they were without a doubt a success, after this point in their career the band took off into the stratosphere became musical legend. Anyway, this is a great one if you like some soulful psychedelic funk; just sit back and let that groove take you away.   Hear I'm An Animal on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Lenny Kravitz - A Long and Sad Goodbye   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Winery Dogs - Moonage Daydream   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bonnie Tyler - Straight From The Heart   My song pick 4 years ago...

From: Willie Remembers.. ; Year: 1972; Genre: Hard Rock/Funk Rock Just a perfect time for another hard funky song from Rare Earth. I love how I can just put this album on and play whilst I work; time just flies on by.   Hear I Couldn't Believe What Happened Last Night on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Diana Ross - Touch Me in the Morning   My song pick 2 years ago today: Nazareth - Love Hurts   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Nice - Hang on to a Dream   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Grass Roots - The River Is Wide   My song pick 5 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Perfect Water My song pick 6 years ago today: Cinderella - Gypsy Road My song pick 7 years ago today: April Wine - Just Between You and Me My song pick 8 years ago today: Sky - Chiropodie No.1 My song pick 9 years ago today: Queen - Headlong My song pick 10 years ago today: The Chakachas - Jungle Fever My song pick 11 years ago today: The Outlaws...

From: Masque ; Year: 1975; Genre: Progressive Rock I just can't help but love this album, it's a lot better than people give it credit for. Sure, it is eclipsed by the next two without a doubt, but it's still a great record. This is another track written by Kerry Livgren, who authored most of their biggest hits, and is one that does demand your attention, refusing to be "background music." Strange though, even at six minutes in length it just seems like it goes by quickly, very surprisingly.    Hear Icarus -  Born On Wings of Steel on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Pendragon - The Last Man on Earth   My song pick 2 years ago today: Eddie Hazel - Until It Rains   My song pick 3 years ago today: April Wine - Say Hello   My song pick 4 years ago today: Funkadelic - Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow   My song pick 5 years ago today: Melvins - Heavyness of the Load My song pick 6 years ago today: A-ha - Manhattan ...

From: Reach Out Of The Darkness ; Year: 1968; Genre: Pop/Folk Don't know why, but felt like picking this rather "groovy" late 1960s track today from the husband and wife duo Friend & Lover. It is kind of interesting the dichotomy of the joyous and upbeat nature of this and other songs from this time period contrasted with all of the societal upheaval, violence, and death surrounding this time. Sadly, both Jim and Cathy post passed away a few years ago, but they did leave a lasting legacy. Also, comedic songster Ray Stevens played keyboards and arranged the strings on this track. Some may be "too cool" to listen to this one, but they are missing out, but the chorus definitely will earworm you something terrible.   Hear Reach Out Of The Darkness on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Queensrÿche - I Remember Now/Anarchy X   My song pick 2 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Bach Goes To Limerick   My song pick 3 years ago today: Funk Factory - ...

From: All Is Forgiven ; Year: 1989; Genre: Rock Man, 1989, truthfully it doesn't seem like that long ago; I remember that time quite well. Here's another one that just happened to come into my mind after over 30 years of not hearing it; I really want to know why these old songs that I have not listened to just seem to just surface randomly. Anyway, I remember hearing this one quite a lot back then and never knew who it was that wrote and performed it. Apparently this was the band's debut and seems like their only studio record with original content; there seems to be some tribute material since, but I am not 100% sure of the facts, so I'll leave it at that. It is also the first album to be recorded to hard disc instead of tape, or at least that is the claim. When first recorded the band was under the name "Siren," however, another band that already had than name threatened a lawsuit, so they added "Red" to their name. It is somewhat confusing, but it...

From: Apocalypso ; Year: 2011 (1981); Genre: New Wave/Rock While I have always kind of liked this song, after discovering this, the unreleased original recording featuring the actual members of the band, I came to like it quite a bit more.   Hear Only the Lonely on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Brick - Dusic   My song pick 2 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Just For You   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Emotional Rescue   My song pick 4 years ago today: Rage Against the Machine - Beautiful World   My song pick 5 years ago today: ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man My song pick 6 years ago today: Midnight Oil - Put Down That Weapon My song pick 7 years ago today: Dayton Sidewinders - Funky Chicken Stew My song pick 8 years ago today: The Kinks - Tired of Waiting for You My song pick 9 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California My song pick 10 years ago today: Porcupine Tree - Do...

From: I've Got a Tiger By the Tail ; Year: 1965; Genre: Country/Rockabilly For some reason this one popped into my mind, which is a bit odd because I don't recall hearing Buck Owen's original in a very long time. I have played it live with other musicians though, and it was great fun. Probably what comes to mind the most concerning this song is a story my Mother told me at one point. Back when she was young and riding in her Dad's, (my Grandpa's), truck and it was one of the tunes he just sung whilst driving a load of logs to a sawmill. She said that halfway through he grinned and jokingly told her, "That song was written about your mother" and they both shared the laugh. My grandparents did have a "passionate" marriage, so this one could easily been written for both of them.   Hear I've Got a Tiger By the Tail on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Billy Joel - Summer, Highland Falls   My song pick 2 years ago today: Bob Dylan -...

From: Sex Machine ; Year: 1970; Genre: Funk/Soul It's kind of amazing to think that without James Brown and his unequaled backing band, especially drummer Melvin Parker funk would not exist as we know it. This two-part song is a great groove across the board.   Hear Brother Rapp (Part I & Part II) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Deadline   My song pick 2 years ago today: Rufus and Chaka Khan - Fool's Paradise   My song pick 3 years ago today: Coleman Hawkins - Night Hawk   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jigsaw - My Summer Song   My song pick 5 years ago today: Bootsy's Rubber Band - Rubber Duckie My song pick 6 years ago today: Lee Dorsey - Ya Ya My song pick 7 years ago today: Curved Air - Back Street Luv My song pick 8 years ago today: Fairport Convention - Fotheringay My song pick 9 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Van Diemen's Land My song pick 10 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Kelpie My...

From: Sergei Leiferkus sings Mussorgsky ; Year: 2016 (1875); Genre: Romance Period/classical Here's a short-but-sweet piece for piano and voice from maestro Modest Mussorgsky. While I have no idea when the vocalist is singing, since it is in Russian, which is not a language I know well enough other than a few words and phrases, but I will say the way the melody is sung along with the accompanying piano is superb. This one in reminds me of another Romance Period composer, Franz Schubert, his leids in particular. From wot I understand in Russia during the same time had a similar form called "Russian Songs," which this piece would be categorized under, so it's not a surprise.   Hear Misunderstood One performed by Sergei Leiferkus on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Rush - Face Up   My song pick 2 years ago today: Jigsaw - Baby Don't Do It   My song pick 3 years ago today: Clifford Brown and Max Roach - Sandu   My song pick 4 years ago tod...

From: August ; Year: 1986; Genre: Blues Rock It seems as though I've been gravitating towards Eric Clapton's 1980s releases the older I get. Whilst I still love to rock out to tunes like Layla , Bellbottom Blues , and really anything from his work with Cream especially, there's just something about the songs of this era that draw me in. Probably has to do with me growing up during the time they were new and the fact I absolutely adore the rhythm section he employed at this point in time. Nathan East is just amazing and one of my musical heroes and him pairing up with the awesome Phil Collins, the rhythms section was top-notch; he really does know whom to associate with on recordings. Anyway, this is just one of those hard rockin' "feel good" tunes that you could probably play in almost any situation and people will enjoy it, which is a-typical of most blues rock.   Hear Tearing Us Apart on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Weezer - Troublemaker ...

From: Bridge of Sighs ; Year: 1974; Genre: Blues Rock I have always had an affinity for Robin Trower's work and that heavy, hard, and driving blues rock sound. This was one of the track co-written by both Trower and bassist/vocalist James Dewar and is very much blues rock personified.   Hear The Fool and Me on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jerry Reed - When You're Hot, You're Hot   My song pick 2 years ago today: Billy Joel - Turn Around   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - Bertha Butt Encounters Vadar   My song pick 4 years ago today: Waylander - A Path Well Trodden   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Grateful Dead - Born Crosseyed My song pick 6 years ago today: Iron Maiden - Purgatory My song pick 7 years ago today: Vicki Sue Robinson - Turn the Beat Around My song pick 8 years ago today: Judas Priest - Battle Hymn/One Shot at Glory My song pick 9 years ago today: Yes - Tempus Fugit My song ...

From: 25 Years On ( Hawklords ) ; Year: 1978; Genre: Psychedelic Rock/New Wave Here is a good one from that one album from the band that has a double-identity crisis both in title and the band's name. As with such difficulties, apparently lawsuits and lawyers were working behind the scenes discerning as to ownership to the name "Hawkwind," which kind of made a mess of this record. For this one they changed their name to "Hawklords," which also became the title as well. With subsequent releases they went back to their Hawkwind moniker and later changed the record's title as well. Although, in 2008 Harvey Bainbridge revived the Hawklords name and restarted the band. Anyway, this one is a great blend of their psychedelic space rock and the emerging new wave sound with some nice lyrics that tell a deep, dystopian story that would make a good book/movie.   Hear The Age of the Micro Man on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Sossity; You...

From: May I/This Feeling (single); Year: 1965; Genre: Soul/Doo-Wop/R&B Yesterday I found out that music legend Maurice Williams passed away; the band that he fronted went by the names: The Royal Charms, Gladiolas, and finally The Zodiacs. They had a few hits, however, they are most noted for the modern classic Stay , which holds the distinction of being the shortest #1 hit at just over 90 seconds and has been covered and licensed in film and other popular culture. Anyway, I already started making this post believing that I had already picked Stay , but whilst typing I discovered that I had not, but decided to stick with my initial choice. May I is one of their hits that I actually like a bit more; such a smooth and enjoyable sound.   Hear May I on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Alley Pat - Pat's Rubber Band   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Doors - Love Street   My song pick 3 years ago today: Benny Carter - Cotton Tail   My ...

From: Frontiers ; Year: 1983; Genre: Rock Had this one just kind of pop in my head whilst waking up this morning and, as I usually do, took it as a sign I should make it today's song pick. It is among my favourites from the album and is a bit deeper and musically interesting.   Hear Faithfully on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Elton John - The Bitch Is Back   My song pick 2 years ago today: Styx - Common Ground   My song pick 3 years ago today: Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie - Relaxin' With Lee   My song pick 4 years ago today: Ugly Kid Joe - I'm Alright   My song pick 5 years ago today: Hawkwind - Night of the Hawks My song pick 6 years ago today: Aretha Franklin - Freeway of Love My song pick 7 years ago today: Queen - She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettos) My song pick 8 years ago today: The Doors - The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat) My song pick 9 years ago today: Ugly Kid Joe - Busy Bee My song pick 10...

From: The Sun Don't Lie ; Year: 1993; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Funk This has to be the best and most interesting cover of the Jaco Pastorius penned modern jazz fusion standard that I have ever heard. The idea to use steelpan drums in particular to play the main melody line was a work of genius. Most of the time people correlate the playing of that instrument with Calypso or Caribbean music, but he and his band got them to work flawlessly with modern jazz and funk. This one, however, really incorporate a lot of related genres to fusion throughout, especially the lead electric guitar, which interprets Wayne Shorter's saxophone solo from the original Weather Report recording.   Hear Teen Town on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Primus - Jilly's On Smack   My song pick 2 years ago today: Michael Masser - You Don't Ever Have to Be Alone   My song pick 3 years ago today: John Coltrane - Moment's Notice   My song pick 4 years ago today: James &...

From: Do It ('Til You're Satisfied) ; Year: 1974; Genre: Soul/Funk I absolutely cannot believe that I have not picked this song yet; among my favourite east coast funky soul hits. It'd be easier much easier to say what I do not like about it, which is really nothing; if you love soul, funk, and/or R&B just enjoy the amazing grooves.   Hear Do It ('Til You're Satisfied) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Allman Brothers Band - Pegasus   My song pick 2 years ago today: Vixen - Cryin'   My song pick 3 years ago today: Weather Report - Surucucú   My song pick 4 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Summer Lady   My song pick 5 years ago today: Bobby Freeman - Do You Want To Dance? My song pick 6 years ago today: Sly and the Family Stone - If This Room Could Talk My song pick 7 years ago today: Rush - Grand Designs My song pick 8 years ago today: The Trammps - Rubber Band My song pick 9 years ago today: Johannes Tapissler - ...

From: Automat ; Year: 1978; Genre: Electronica/Disco/Progressive Rock Don't have many more to choose from this electronic musical act with only their single album and with that only a single, multi track song for side one, of which today's pick is the final "movement." The Genus , along with the other two that precede it, are immense fun to experience if you have a good system to play it on or a quality set of headphones.   Hear The Genus on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Mrs. Tibbets   My song pick 2 years ago today: Savatage - Awaken   My song pick 3 years ago today: Rush - Cut to the Chase   My song pick 4 years ago today: Funkadelic - Tales of Kidd Funkadelic (Opusdelite Years)   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Moody Blues - No More Lies My song pick 6 years ago today: 3 Inches of Blood - Wykydtron My song pick 7 years ago today: Deep Purple - Call of the Wild My song pick 8 years ago today: The Lively...

From: Only One Love In My Life ; Year: 1978; Genre: Country/Rock/Pop Ronnie Milsap was one whose music I was very well introduced to early on and one I still appreciate a lot. Most of the songs on this album in particular I remember quite well, so I wouldn't be surprised if my Mom and Dad had it, but this track is probably my personal favourite. Wot I have always really liked about country/western music trough the '70s and early '80s in particular is how it had a crossover appeal with other forms of popular music as well as being the last era without that hideous and annoying, exaggerated vocal "twang" that, since the late '80s on has inundated the genre worse than autotune has permeated pop music for over two decades now. How do I miss when new country and western music vocalists could just sing how they would normally....   Hear Let's Take the Long Way Around the World on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Temptations - Smiling Faces Som...

From: Primitive Man ; Year: 1982; Genre: New Wave If you grew up in the '80s the sound will immediately be recognizable and give a great sense of great nostalgia. Whilst the sound is very much that of the early to mid 1980s, Icehouse was not, in my opinion, following fads and trends, but rather they were among the bands plowing a path ahead for that sound. Uniform is one of the main songs from the album that exemplifies this.   Hear Uniform on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Steely Dan - Gaucho   My song pick 2 years ago today: Doc Oliver - Soul Popcorn   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Romantics - Talking In Your Sleep   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Kinks - Picture Book   My song pick 5 years ago today: Golden Earring - Radar Love My song pick 6 years ago today: Martha and the Vandellas - Nowhere to Run My song pick 7 years ago today: Blood, Sweat & Tears - Smiling Phases My song pick 8 years ago today: Rage ...

From: Cab Calloway ; Year: 1956 (1942); Genre: Swing Jazz/Big Band Jazz/Blues Have had this marvelous legend and his band on my mind over the last little bit. Kind of surprised that I have not chosen this one yet being on of his signature pieces. I'm always just wowed every time I put one of his recordings on; I really wish I could've seen him live, but at least I have the recordings and the videos and films he was in.   Hear Geechy Joe on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Stevie Wonder - Maybe Your Baby   My song pick 2 years ago today: David Bowie and the Pat Metheny Group - This Is Not America   My song pick 3 years ago today: Corey Hart - Sunglasses At Night   My song pick 4 years ago today: Chicago - Feelin' Stronger Every Day   My song pick 5 years ago today: Lobo - Pee-Ro Juan Valdez Sam Quixote My song pick 6 years ago today: AC/DC - Are You Ready My song pick 7 years ago today: Bootsy's Rubber Band - Jam Fan (Hot) My ...