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

From: Things Are Great ; Year: 2022; Genre: Indie Rock I have to say, this most recent record from Band of Horses still holds up a few years on; I still love to put it on and zone out listening to it. This track in particular reminds me a lot of mid-late 1970s soft rock in all the best ways.   Hear In Need of Repair on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Classics IV - Traces   My song pick 2 years ago today: Dr. John - Snake Eyes   My song pick 3 years ago today: Harry Nilsson - Jump Into the Fire   My song pick 4 years ago today: Bob Dylan - It Ain't Me Babe   My song pick 5 years ago today: Of Monsters and Men - Alligator   My song pick 6 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Beat 'Em Up My song pick 7 years ago today: ZZ Top - Cheap Sunglasses My song pick 8 years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Time Is On Your Side My song pick 9 years ago today: Exile - Please Be There My song pick 10 years ago today: Hank Willia...

From: Shinin' On ; Year: 1974; Genre: Rock/Pop Had this catchy tune on the brain whilst working on my car last night; thought it would be a good choice. Originally recorded and became a huge hit by Little Eva , Grand Funk Railroad put it on this record out of a episode of spontaneity whilst messing around in the studio. Their hard-edged rock sound combined by their amazing harmonies made it soar to the top of the charts, which at the time was only the second song to hit #1 twice by two different artists.   Hear The Loco-Motion on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Young Girl's Heart   My song pick 2 years ago today: Toto - 99   My song pick 3 years ago today: Lou Reed - Men of Good Fortune   My song pick 4 years ago today: Victor Wooten - Joe's Journey   My song pick 5 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Fighting for Strangers   My song pick 6 years ago today: Dire Straits - Romeo & Juliet My song pic...

From: Nightcap ; Year: 1993 (1982); Genre: Progressive Rock/Hard Rock Just needed something a bit more familiar today; thought I'd go back this this CD that I purchased way back in the day when I was first getting into 'Tull. I believe The Curse was written and recorded back during about '81 or '82 for the Broadsword and the Beast sessions. I guess this track would be one of the songs left on the floor for being too much like other songs that made it on the record; very similar to Flying Colours I would imagine. For me the music has always been the draw here with a lot of the keyboards blending with traditional rock instruments making a sound that I would describe as hard rock new wave.   Hear The Curse on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Brides of Funkenstein - I'm Holding You Responsible   My song pick 2 years ago today: Elton John - Razor Face   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Duprees - You Belong to Me   My song pick 4 y...

From: Fat Albert Rotunda ; Year: 1969; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Jazz-Funk Seem absolutely perfect for one of jazz legend Herbie Hancock's amazing compositions; and there are a lot, I mean A LOT to choose from. While each one of his albums and albums he appeared on have zero filler, I have always loved his Fat Albert Rotunda record. I just one I just put on and let it play all the way through without stopping and sometimes even putting the whole thing on repeat; it's just that good, full stop.   Hear Fat Mama on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Kingsmen - Louie Louie   My song pick 2 years ago today: Hawkwind - Spaceship Blues   My song pick 3 years ago today: Jamiroquai - Space Cowboy   My song pick 4 years ago today: Hall & Oates - You Make My Dreams (Come True)   My song pick 5 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Something's on the Move   My song pick 6 years ago today: Queen - Don't Try So Hard My song pick 7 years ago tod...

Op. 64 ; Year: 1844; Genre: Romance Period/classical I had another song in mind for today, but with it being my 6400th song picked I had to go with something someway fitting. So, here is master composer Felix Mendelssohn's 64th Opus; his Violin Concerto in E-Minor, which was among his last compositions. It is a truly exquisite piece that, for me at least, will demand attention, but not the entire time. Kind of lulls you with the beautiful violin only for something with the melody and/or rhythmic characteristics to snap me back to attention. He was a true master of music and composition; in my opinion a great blend of the previous, current, and future eras of classical music.   Hear Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E-Minor, Op 64 on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Mountain - The Animal Trainer and the Toad   My song pick 2 years ago today: The (Detroit) Spinners - Sadie   My song pick 3 years ago today: Taylor Hawkins & The Coatta...

From: The Seeds of Love ; Year: 1989; Genre: Rock/Jazz Rock Trying to stick with something lighter today; although with much of Tears for Fears music there is a lot of seriousness both lyrically and musically, so I'm just going to be superficial with this pick. With so much of this one their normal pop-oriented sound falls by the wayside for a very well done Bossa nova groove that is so relaxed in a great way that in my personal opinion does not only show the breadth of their musical ability, but just how multidimensional their creativity is.      Hear Advise for the Young at Heart on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Surfaris - Surfer Joe   My song pick 2 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - She's a Devil   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Lively Ones - Crying Guitar (Surfer's Lament)   My song pick 4 years ago today: George Clinton - One Fun At a Time   My song pick 5 years ago today: Band of Horses ...

From: Motown Remembers Marvin Gaye ; Year: 1986; Genre: Funk/Soul/Motown For the last few days I have had some of the 1980s material from the late-great Marvin Gaye on my mind; thought it was time to pick one. This track was actually originally recorded in 1972, but was not released until after his death. There are two versions of it with the one from this album being reworked in an '80s electronic synth/funk sound in line with current sounds of the time. The second "alternate" one was later released on the 2001 deluxe edition of Let's Get it On .   Hear The World is Rated X on YouTube. Hear the second version on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jim Croce - The Ballad of Gunga Din   My song pick 2 years ago today: Cab Calloway and His Orchestra - Pickin' the Cabbage   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - L.T.D. (Life, Truth, Death)   My song pick 4 years ago today: John Denver - Sweet Surrender   My song pick ...

From: Doremi Fasol Latido ; Year: 1972; Genre: Space Rock/Progressive Rock Felt the urge to choose one from this album, which, from wot I understand, it and the songs are a reference to The Sound of the Spheres as well as the diatonic scale. With these two pieces of music being the second and third tracks would make them, I guess, the Sun (Re) and Mercury (Mi). With One Change being a very brief track it could make some sense. Anyway, Space is Deep reminds me a lot of the psychedelic folk or rather space folk that was present from a few groups from around the time with the Queen song 39 coming to mind. Only in the middle section does the full band come in with the first half of the song or so being acoustic 12 string guitar, vocals, and odd synthesizers/noises. Lyrically it is based on Michael Moorcock's The Black Corridor , which adds to the spaciness. As earlier stated, One Change is a short song, or as I called them many years ago: " songitesimals , " I thought it...

From: Reggae Soul & Rock 'n' Roll ; Year: 1976; Genre: Reggae A couple of days ago I learned of the death of the outstanding boxer, philanthropist, businessman, preacher and human being George Foreman. I have not been into boxing since the '90s, but my favourite fighter was, without a doubt, George Foreman; there was just something about his amazing personality, overall humbleness and just positive aura about him that I loved about him. Anyway, I wanted to choose something that fit, and whilst pugilist Muhammad Ali was one of his arch rivals in the ring, it was " The Rumble in the Jungle " between the two that made both more than a household name and I am sure the two had respect for one another and in fact later became friends. Even though there are most likely more appropriate songs out there, this was the first that came into my head and since it is directly related to his bout with Ali, it is my pick for today.   Hear Black Superman (Muhammad Ali) on You...

From: Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow ; Year: 1975; Genre: Hard Rock/Metal A song from early Rainbow just seemed perfect for today. This track is a cover originally from the band Fat Mattress . I totally love the hard, charging edge of their rendition; of course you cannot go wrong with Ronnie Jame Dio providing vocals. \m/   Hear Black Sheep of the Family on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Funkadelic - Take Your Dead Ass Home! (Say Som'n Nasty)   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Exciters - Tell Him   My song pick 3 years ago today: Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers - I Promise To Remember   My song pick 4 years ago today: Santana - Song of the Wind   My song pick 5 years ago today: Elton John - Jamaica Jerk-Off   My song pick 6 years ago today: Jimmy Castor - Amazon My song pick 7 years ago today: April Wine - Enough is Enough My song pick 8 years ago today: Faith No More - Falling to Pieces My song pick 9 years ago t...

From: The Need of Love ; Year: 1971; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Funk Finishing out this workweek with some great grooves from one of my absolute favourite bands.   Hear Energy on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Standells - Dirty Water   My song pick 2 years ago today: Rush - Rivendell   My song pick 3 years ago today: Carmen - Fandangos in Space   My song pick 4 years ago today: Harlequin - You Are The Light   My song pick 5 years ago today: Ozric Tentacles - Magick Valley   My song pick 6 years ago today: Elton John - Crocodile Rock My song pick 7 years ago today: Mr. Bungle - Quote Unquote (Travolta) My song pick 8 years ago today: Jane's Addiction - Stop! My song pick 9 years ago today: Soundgarden - The Telephantasm My song pick 10 years ago today: Mr. Big - Mr. Never in a Million Years My song pick 11 years ago today: Dayton Sidewinders - Funky in Here My song pick 12 years ago today: Heart - Fanatic My song p...

From: It Ain't Easy ; Year: 1970; Genre: Rock Been on a Three Dog Night kick or so it would seem lately. This is one of their songs that I immediately fell in love with the first time I heard it; mostly Floyd Sneed's drums and Joe Schermie's bass, but also the beautiful organ played by Jimmy Greenspoon. Out In the Country was one that came from noted songsmiths Roger Nichols and Paul Williams and whilst a song concerning environmental consciousness, it is not too preachy and more of an upbeat track about getting away from the hustle and bustle of life and back to nature similarly in message to The Drifters' classic Up On a Roof .   Hear Out In the Country on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Lobo - California Kid and Reemo   My song pick 2 years ago today: ABBA - I Still Have Faith In You   My song pick 3 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Mine Is the Mountain   My song pick 4 years ago today: Hawkwind - Ascent   My song pick 5 years ...

From: The Visitor ; Year: 2017; Genre: Blues Rock/Hard Rock After enjoying some of his music in the other day, cranking the sound sky high, thought I would choose a track from one of his albums that I was not acquainted with yet. This is the first song on the record and is very much in his highly noted style across the board.   Hear Already Great on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Ladies   My song pick 2 years ago today: Ozric Tentacles - Weirditude   My song pick 3 years ago today: Mott the Hoople - (Do You Remember) The Saturday Gigs   My song pick 4 years ago today: Luther - Everybody Rejoice   My song pick 5 years ago today: Wishbone Ash - Vas Dis   My song pick 6 years ago today: Journey - Spaceman My song pick 7 years ago today: Van Halen - And the Cradle Will Rock... My song pick 8 years ago today: Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli (Quintette du Hot Club de France) - Tears My song pick 9 ye...

From: A Man Called Adam (soundtrack) ; Year: 1966; Genre: Swing Jazz Have never actually seen this film, but I seriously, I mean truly adore the music and soundtrack; one of these days I'll have to find it and give it a watch. This is one of the songs from the movie where Legend and Rat-Pack Extraordinaire Sammy Davis Jr. sings as well as in the motion picture played the main character "Adam."   Hear Whisper to One on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Queen - Flash to the Rescue   My song pick 2 years ago today: Ace - Rock & Roll Runaway   My song pick 3 years ago today: Imagination - Just an Illusion   My song pick 4 years ago today: Alestorm - Fannybaws   My song pick 5 years ago today: Marillion - Seasons End   My song pick 6 years ago today: Dick Dale - Esperanza My song pick 7 years ago today: Kansas - Questions of my Childhood My song pick 8 years ago today: Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe - Quartet My song pick...

From: Life Is Good ; Year: 2017; Genre: Celtic Rock/Punk/Folk Rock Happy St. Patty's Day once more! Not too entirely sure in which nations it is celebrated, but I do know it is usually celebrated in nations with a lot of people with Irish ancestry and I believe it is a proper Holiday/Feast celebrated by Catholics. Anyway, as usual am picking a song that is at least somewhat apropos for the occasion. I've only chosen a single track from the band Flogging Molly before, so here is another.   Hear Crushed (Hostile Nations) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Waylander - Kindred Spirits   My song pick 2 years ago today: Black 47 - Land Of DeValera   My song pick 3 years ago today: Frank Mackey & The Keltic Cowboys - Rocky Road to Dublin   My song pick 4 years ago today: Black 47 - Bodhráns On The Brain   My song pick 5 years ago today: Waylander - The Vernal Dance   My song pick 6 years ago today: Thin Lizzy - Dublin My song...

From: Closure/Continuation ; Year: 2022; Genre: Progressive Metal Whilst I have stated prior that I really have no real idea as to wot's going on in music/film/or popular culture I was still taken aback that this newest album from Porcupine Tree slid under my radar so to speak for about 2 1/2 years. Although since I was under the impression that Steve Wilson ended the band back about 2010 or so it shouldn't have. Wotever the case, I'm overjoyed to find this new material, and have to say that it is some of the best material I've heard from an older band recently. Anyway, this one is a heavier song both musically and lyrically with themes and symbolism that lines up with the anxiety many are and have been experiencing during the current/recent global political climate.   Hear Rats Return on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Steeleye Span - The Wee Free Men   My song pick 2 years ago today: Icehouse - Trojan Blue   My song pick 3 years ago today...

From: Good Day ; Year: 1974; Genre: Psychedelic Rock Thought I would check out this record, which was Lighthouse's final studio album for over 20 years when they released Song of the Ages in 1996. I can say it is really odd not hearing the horn section and/or strings in the dominant role that I am used to hearing on their songs; I always categorized them in my mind with bands such as Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears. I do not know much about the band other than I really like most of wot I have heard, but it seems that they might've abandoned that core sound for this record. This is perhaps a sign of the band calling it quits after this one; from wot I have read they did tour through 1976 and did not really get together until the reunion in the early/mid 1990s.   Hear Man, Woman, Child on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Cameo - Attitude   My song pick 2 years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - The Lights Go Down   My song pick ...

From: Joystick ; Year: 1983; Genre: Funk/Electronica Here's some bouncy early 1980s funk from a truly underrated band and album.    Hear Rock With Me on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Megadeth - I Thought I Knew It All   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Music Explosion - Little Bit O' Soul   My song pick 3 years ago today: Alice Cooper - Hello Hooray   My song pick 4 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Secret Road   My song pick 5 years ago today: Genesis - The Serpent   My song pick 6 years ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Knife-Edge My song pick 7 years ago today: UB40 - Rat in mi Kitchen My song pick 8 years ago today: Dust - Learning to Die My song pick 9 years ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - When the Apple Blossoms Bloom in the Windmills of Your Mind, I'll Be Your Valentine My song pick 10 years ago today: Yello - Oh Yeah My song pick 11 years ago today: Wilson Pickett - Take That Pol...

From: Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters ; Year: 1956 (1954); Genre: Doo-Wop/R&B/Rock 'n Roll It is kind of saddening when you look back through the history of The Drifters and how many insanely talented people came and went through the years. Whilst most would remember the monster hits when Ben E. King later sang the lead for a totally different group for a manager that owned the name, this was the original lineup. Clyde McPhatter put together The Drifters as his backing band, which lasted about a year with a few singles and a single LP album. It is amazing to see the tapestry of these greats that came and went over the years and the legends they later would work with and/or have a solo career. You could probably write a volume of books on this band in its many incarnations. Anyway, this is an early rhythm and blues track with some noted jazz and blues influence. Shortly later Elvis would record the song, which I do believe became the "de-facto" version, but this one...