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

From: Dragon Fly ; Year: 1974; Genre: Progressive Rock I wanted to go back and listen to something from Jefferson Starship for whatever reason, so here's one off of their debut album after the band re-emerged under the "Starship" name. Although, unofficially, the 1970 Paul Kantner album Blows Against the Empire was technically the first time you actually saw it under the name Paul Kantner and Jefferson Starship . Anyway, this is one of those songs that is pure beauty all around. I still cannot comprehend why Grace Slick didn't get to perform more of the lead vocals; she is only lead on three tracks, this being, of course, one of them. I suppose I have always been an avid fan of hers as a songwriter, musician and vocalist; she is the full package. One of the biggest and best parts of this song is Papa John Creach's violin playing; it's just adds that beauty that really pushes their music's emotions over the top.   Hear Hyperdrive on YouTube.         My so...

From: At Home ; Year: 1969; Genre: Psychedelic Rock I have always been of the opinion that Shocking Blue is one of those bands that, as the late-great comedian  Rodney Dangerfield was so fond of saying: "They Don't Get No Respect." Just a band that you can tell is boiling over with musical talent and ideas that while did get famous, for wotever reason, they never got up to where they should've been. This one is a great example: a great low fidelity piece of bluesy psychedelia with some very experimental sounds, mostly Robby Van Leeuwen's guitar playing and his playing of the sitar, which is quite a difficult instrument to play even at a novice level. Of course, Mariska Veres' vocals and presence on the vocals are one of the best qualities of the band.    Hear Love Buzz on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Curious Ruminant     My song pick 2 years ago today: 3 Doors Down - Loser   My song pick 3 years ago to...

From: Fat Albert Rotunda ; Year: 1969; Genre: Jazz Fusion I haven't the foggiest as to why, but whenever I get the urge to listen to something by Herbie Hancock I immediately gravitate to his Fat Albert Rotunda record. I mean, I love other albums of his just as much or more, but this one just seems to always just "go with mood, vibe, etc." It was just one of those collections of music that seemingly encompassed most sensibilities. I mean, it is extremely technical and if you like complex music, then it'll work for you, or if you like jazz that is more "accessible" or something to just enjoy in the background, it is equally as good in those aspects. You know, I cannot remember hearing anyone say they do not like Herbie Hancock's music.... Anyway, this is obviously the title-track and fits the above description. From wot I understand this record and song were used for the primetime cartoon special:  Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Fat Albert , which, in turn, led...

From: Resist ; Year: 2022; Genre: Alternative Rock Sadly, I found out that one of members of my absolute favourite Aussie band passed away. Drummer/songwriter/and player of many other instruments Robert Hirst succumbed to an ordeal with pancreatic cancer. Can I just state that I hate cancer about as much as someone can hate something; so many that I know and love and look up to have died from it... sigh. That damned disease also took their bassist Bones Hillman about six years ago as well, so yeah.... Anyway, wot caught my most by surprise was that he was 70 years old. I never realized that the members of the band are that old; they've always had a massive amount of energy and passion that easily could pass for performers half their age or younger. Robert Hirst was a founding member and a main songwriter for the band over the years. This is one of the three songs that he received writing credits for on the their latest studio album: Resist . The music is very much in their wheelho...

From: Dog & Butterfly ; Year: 1978; Genre: Folk Rock In my opinion this one of the Wilson sister's best songs they wrote. It reminds me a lot of Joni Mitchell from around the same era; whilst the music is more rock oriented and less jazzy just the way they weave the symbolism of dealing with personal struggles likened to the dog relentlessly trying to catch what is out of reach. It is very similar in the way Joni Mitchell compared her playing guitar to jets flying in the air in her song Amelia and the predatory nature of the proverbial  Coyote to that of a man in a bar trying to "score." I just love it when master songwriters, like Anne and Nancy Wilson confront a serious subject with some light-hearted whimsy; just makes for something special.   Hear Dog & Butterfly on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Alan Parsons Project - Lucifer     My song pick 2 years ago today: Midnight Oil - At the Time of Writing   My s...

From: MTV Unplugged in New York ; Year: 1994; Genre: Alternative Rock/Grunge Do not know why, but was thinking about this cover written and recorded by David Bowie from Nirvana's landmark "Unplugged" performance.  It has been said that they really made their cover good enough to be thought of as an original to those who did not know much about music from prior generations. For me, Kurt Cobain's vocals remind me that of R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe, which is a great thing in my opinion.   Watch the '93 Unplugged performance on YouTube.        My song pick 1 year ago today: Cameo - Use It Or Lose It     My song pick 2 years ago today: Wishbone Ash - Living Proof   My song pick 3 years ago today: Crosby, Stills & Nash - Guinnevere   My song pick 4 years ago today: Yellow No 5 - Everything Cherries   My song pick 5 years ago today: Pallas - Blood and Roses   My song pick 6 years ago today: Faith No More - Zombie Eaters   My son...

From: Never Surrender ; Year: 1982; Genre: Hard Rock No reason for choosing this one other than I like this song, band and record. I really like the energy they exude throughout the track with a positive call to action; great one to get your blood pumping before going forth with your tasks for the day.   Hear Writing on the Wall on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Soundgarden - Attrition     My song pick 2 years ago today: Maria Muldaur - Midnight at the Oasis   My song pick 3 years ago today: Parliament - Prelude/Gamin' On Ya   My song pick 4 years ago today: Ram Jam - Black Betty   My song pick 5 years ago today: Jigsaw - Wildfire   My song pick 6 years ago today: Simon & Garfunkel - El Cóndor Pasa (If I Could)   My song pick 7 years ago today: IQ - Awake and Nervous My song pick 8 years ago today: Nirvana - Polly My song pick 9 years ago today: Maktub - Lies My song pick 10 years ago today: Al Stew...

From: Why? (The King of Love is Dead) ; Year: 1968; Genre: Jazz/Soul/Gospel It is Martin Luther King Jr. Day once more; thought I would choose something fitting for my song today. This one, which was written by Nina Simone's bass player Gene Taylor apparently just days after Dr. King was assassinated in response to his tragic death. There was really no one better to perform this piece than the great Nina Simone; her powerful, emotional delivery brings chills and tears every time I hear it.    Watch a live performance on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: U.K. - Thirty Years     My song pick 2 years ago today: James Brown - Lowdown Popcorn   My song pick 3 years ago today: Joan Baez - Rejoice in the Sun   My song pick 4 years ago today: Uriah Heep - Hold Your Head Up   My song pick 5 years ago today: Alice in Chains - Rain When I Die   My song pick 6 years ago today: Return to Forever - Spain   My song pick 7 years...

From: Cosmo's Factory ; Year: 1970; Genre: Blues Rock Had some of the songs from Cosmo's Factory on my mind for the last week or so. When I say that I grew up with this record, I really cannot begin to count the amount my Mom and Dad played it, and later myself. Can still remember losing myself studying the album cover and intently listening to the music. Anyway, a great deal of their music has been inseparably tied to the time and events when it was written and recorded; this track is one of them. Mostly Run Through the Jungle has been paired with images of the Vietnam Conflict, even myself being born after the U.S. involvement, still this track elicits imagery from old film and news reels of that war. I suppose you could say that CCR was one of those bands that provided a great deal of the soundtrack to those times.   Hear Run Through the Jungle on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Judas Priest - Better Than You, Better Than Me     M...

From: Stunt ; Year: 1998; Genre: Alternative Rock I have always loved this band's light-hearted music that is simply fun to listen to. Who Needs Sleep? is more or less an ole to insomnia, which at one time or another, everyone has suffered through at one time or another; usually when you have to be up early in the morning.     Hear Who Needs Sleep? on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Cameo - Candy     My song pick 2 years ago today: Iron Maiden - The Clairvoyant   My song pick 3 years ago today: Ozric Tentacles - Butterfly Garden   My song pick 4 years ago today: Billy Joel - Leningrad   My song pick 5 years ago today: Hot Butter - Popcorn   My song pick 6 years ago today: Parliament - Agony of Defeet   My song pick 7 years ago today: Dream Theater - Untethered Angel My song pick 8 years ago today: Oasis - Supersonic My song pick 9 years ago today: U2 - A Sort of Homecoming My song pick 10 year...

From: Motor Booty Affair ; Year: 1978; Genre: Funk Did I ever mention that I really love Motor Booty Affair ? Well, if not, I do; one of my favourite P-Funk albums. This is the song you hear if you just drop the needle/press play; very fun track all the way around.    Hear Mr. Wiggles on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: ABBA - Slipping Through My Fingers     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Temptations - I Truly, Truly Believe   My song pick 3 years ago today: Neil Diamond - Dry Your Eyes   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - The Zealot Gene   My song pick 5 years ago today: Dick Dale and his Del-Tones - Mr. Eliminator   My song pick 6 years ago today: Jane's Addiction - Just Because   My song pick 7 years ago today: Journey - Remember Me My song pick 8 years ago today: The Cranberries - Linger My song pick 9 years ago today: Sammy Hagar - There's Only One Way to Rock My song pick 10 yea...

From: Trouble Is... ; Year: 1997; Genre: Blues Rock Such a perfect blues track by an amazing guitarist and his band. They do an incredible job with their own interpretation of this great Bob Dylan track. You can really hear his guitar work emulating the same soul as the late-great Stevie Ray Vaughan in this one. Anyway, just thought that I would choose one of the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band today after getting a lot of static from someone close about this and other music I listen to... I really can see the appeal of the blues after that instance....   Hear Everything is Broken on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Simple Minds - And the Band Played On     My song pick 2 years ago today: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - Abraham, Martin & John   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Hold Back the Water   My song pick 4 years ago today: Golden Earring - Long Blond Animal   My song pick 5 years ...

From: Americana ; Year: 1998; Genre: Punk/Hard Rock Had this record playing in my mind today for wotever reason, which if fine because I like it a lot. This one, of course, is the title-track that has all the energy and emotion the band has turned up way past "11." Strangely enough, when you listen to the lyrics, their satirical synopsis/commentary of American culture is frighteningly all too real and in the present tense even though it was written back in the late 1990s. Although today that happy facade from back then is long gone and the outright ugliness of society is for all to see, unless you choose to bury your head.   Hear Americana on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Steeleye Span - Well Done Liar!     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Marvelettes - The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Cult - Spiritwalker   My song pick 4 years ago today: Boyz II Men - Motownphilly   My son...

From: Pet Sounds ; Year: 1966; Genre: Progressive Rock/Psychedelic Rock It is amazing to think this album was released some 60 years ago and is still more or less fitting the very definition of progressive music. Even to this day people, including myself, are inspired by just listening and hearing something mayhap not noticed prior. I swear, in centuries from now this and the other work of Brian Wilson will be marveled like the master composers have been. This is among my favourites on the record and to a casual listener might seem a little weird and disjointed, but everything works like a fine mechanical clock; even the unique  Electro-Theremin .     Hear I Just Wasn't Made for These Times on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Danzig - Thirteen     My song pick 2 years ago today: R.E.M. - Losing My Religion   My song pick 3 years ago today: Midnight Express - Danger Zone   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Ron...

From: Evening Moods ; Year: 2000; Genre: Blues Rock Sadly, we lost yet another musical legend: Bob Weir. He was one of those who you could not just qualify his as just a songwriter, singer and guitarist; his footprint on music for the last 70+ years has just been too great. That being said, his name will forever be as synonymous with the Grateful Dead as the late-great Jerry Garcia, even though his career spanned so many solo and collaborative works.   Hear Bury Me Standing on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Sugarloaf - Green-Eyed Lady     My song pick 2 years ago today: Brass Construction - Goodnews   My song pick 3 years ago today: Beck, Bogert & Appice - Sweet Sweet Surrender   My song pick 4 years ago today: Alice Cooper - Wish You Were Here   My song pick 5 years ago today: Return to Forever - The Musician   My song pick 6 years ago today: Rush - Superconductor   My song pick 7 years ago today: Eddie ...

From: Voulez-Vous ; Year: 1979; Genre: Pop/Rock Heard this one the other day and it has been on my mind a great deal ever since. It is always been one of those hooky " schlager " pop tracks that you just can't help but tap your foot to at the bare minimum. Those Swedes sure can write and record some catchy songs.    Hear Does Your Mother Know on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Sam & Dave - Don't Pull Your Love Out On Me Baby     My song pick 2 years ago today: Stanley Clarke - Rock 'n Roll Jelly   My song pick 3 years ago today: Santo & Johnny - Sea Shells   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Nightwatchman - It Begins Tonight   My song pick 5 years ago today: Foghat - Drivin' Wheel   My song pick 6 years ago today: Rush (Neil Peart) - Der Trommler (Drum Solo)   My song pick 7 years ago today: Billy Joe Royal - Cherry Hill Park My song pick 8 years ago today: Q Lazzarus - Goodbye Horses My son...

From: Station to Station ; Year: 1976; Genre: Progressive Rock/Space Rock Had this album play whilst out running errands and I thought it was a nice sign that I should pick another track from it. TVC 15 is kind of a fun little quirky song that delves into Bowie's excellent imagination. Behind the upbeat and very danceable veneer is a disturbing tale. It is about a man's girlfriend being pulled into his fancy television set; he begs and pleads for it to return her to no avail. He ponders and later intends to make the same "leap" to be with her on the other side. Bowie at his best, no doubt.   Hear TVC 15 on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Parliament (feat. Scarface & Mudbone) - I'm Gon Make U Sick O'me     My song pick 2 years ago today: Tears for Fears - Head Over Heels   My song pick 3 years ago today: Wilson Pickett - Stagger Lee   My song pick 4 years ago today: Elton John - The Fox   My song pick 5 years ago to...

From: Cold Kickin' It ; Year: 1990; Genre: Funk/New Jack Swing/Hip-Hop A lot of good memories linked to this music for me; E.U. was definitely one of the main purveyors of this branch of funk in the late '80s/early '90s.    Hear a remixed version on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Toronto - Get It on Credit     My song pick 2 years ago today: Metallica - Tuesday's Gone   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody   My song pick 4 years ago today: Pallas - Midas Touch   My song pick 5 years ago today: Queen - Who Wants to Live Forever   My song pick 6 years ago today: Mr. Big - Fragile My song pick 7 years ago today: Bob Seger - Travelin' Man My song pick 8 years ago today: Uriah Heep - That's the Way That It Is My song pick 9 years ago today: Midnight Oil - No Man's Land My song pick 10 years ago today: Soundgarden - Like Suicide My song pick 11 years ago today: D Train - ...