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

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 ...

From: Vocalion 5021 ; Year: 1947 (1939); Genre: Swing Jazz/Big Band Jazz This classic from the one and only Billie Holiday has been on my mind off and on for the last few days, so I am picking it. Apparently both Louis "Pops" Armstrong and Bing Crosby both recorded their versions prior, whilst I admire and deeply love their work, for this song in particular it is Billie Holiday's recording that takes the cake so to speak.   Hear Them There Eyes on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Chevrolet   My song pick 2 years ago today: Eddie Rabbitt - 747   My song pick 3 years ago today: B.J. Thomas - Hooked on a Feeling   My song pick 4 years ago today: Tears for Fears - Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down)   My song pick 5 years ago today: Al Di Meola - Passion, Grace & Fire My song pick 6 years ago today: Weezer - Africa My song pick 7 years ago today: Red Rider - Human Race My song pick 8 years ago today: ...

From: In a Sentimental Mood ; Year: 1989; Genre: Swing/Big Band Jazz Had this song on my mind since yesterday; quite a catchy and upbeat track to say the least. This one is a standard from during the height of The War, originally written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. From wot I understand the title and main idea of the song was borrowed from a sermon by a popular preacher at the time, Father Divine , which translated very well into an upbeat song. Many have recorded versions of this popular standard over the years, I almost went for a few others, but I knew Dr. John's really well, and I am a fan of his work, so I chose his rendition.   Hear Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Herman's Hermits - End of the World   My song pick 2 years ago today: Alice in Chains - The One You Know   My song pick 3 years ago today: Yes - Going for the One   My song pick 4 years ago today: Dayton Sidewinders - Phoenix ...

From: Pickin' the Cabbage/Paradiddle ; Year: 1940; Genre: Big Band Jazz Thought I would get a two-for-one pick in today so to speak; Pickin' the Cabbage is one of Dizzy Gillespie's compositions, which was recorded at the time when Diz' was part of Cab Calloway's Orchestra, so getting to listen to two legendary jazz heavyweights in one song: what a treat! Sadly, Diz' did not last long after some defugalties, which came to a head during an altercation that resulted in him getting dismissed by Cab Calloway. I guess it ended up being for the best; Cab Calloway continued making great songs and many appearances throughout popular culture and Dizzy Gillespie went on to become the legend he is through countless recordings and was key in the creation of the Bebop Jazz style; it's just fun to hear him with that great orchestra. As you would probably guess, Pickin' the Cabbage is quite an avant-garde sounding piece of big band/swing jazz with a definite flavour o...

From: Nightmare ; Year: 1953 (1938); Genre: Big Band Jazz/Swing Jazz Heard this one come on my playlist last night, after checking to see if I had already chosen it, which I had not, I decided that it'd be today's pick. Ever since I first heard this piece of jazz I fell in love with it, such an amazing and brooding mood brought on by the melancholy melody and rhythm whilst his clarinet solos over the top.   Hear Nightmare on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Easybeats - Heaven and Hell   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Who - Ball and Chain   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Saint of Me My song pick 4 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Dodgy Bastards My song pick 5 years ago today: Nirvana - Blew My song pick 6 years ago today: Faith No More - I Started A Joke My song pick 7 years ago today: Bobby Lyle - Groove (Ain't No Doubt About It) My song pick 8 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Nursie My song pick 9 y...

From: Satchmo Serenades ; Year: 1952; Genre: Swing Jazz/Big Band Jazz Happy New Year to all and anyone who happens to visit my Song a Day blog! I had Louis Armstrong come to mind today whilst thinking about the song to start my new year off, and what a great track and performer to start it with. This is one of my favourites from this record and features Satchmo's horn playing and distinct vocals that all enjoy so much.   Hear I Can't Afford To Miss This Dream on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Parliament - Bop Gun (Endangered Species)   My song pick 2 years ago today: Peter Gabriel - A Wonderful Day In A One-Way World   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year My song pick 4 years ago today: The Eagles - Funky New Year My song pick 5 years ago today: Steely Dan - Midnight Cruiser My song pick 6 years ago today: James Brown - Get Up Offa That Thing/Release the Pressure My song pick 7 years ago today: Primus...

From: Blues Make Me Happy ; Year: 1962; Genre: Swing Jazz/Blues Still, to this day, I personally have to say that Cab Calloway was one of the coolest and most awesome entertainers that ever lived, period. I really wish I had a time machine I could go back in time to and see the man and his orchestra perform live; it must've been amazing. Anyway, I absolutely adore his delivery and vocal performance throughout this song, and most of his others as well; he truly was a class act that needs much more recognition than he gets today.   Hear The Birth of the Blues on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Tightrope   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Thermals - Here's Your Future   My song pick 3 years ago today: Soul Asylum - Black Gold My song pick 4 years ago today: .38 Special - Long Time Gone My song pick 5 years ago today: Woody Guthrie - Tom Joad (Parts 1+2) My song pick 6 years ago today: Stone Temple...

From: PEnnsylvania 6 - 5000 ; Year: 1940; Genre: Big Band Jazz/Swing It's taken me 13+ years to get here, but I finally made it to the big 5000, which would be halfway to the original goal that I had set (10,000). However, I have since changed my mind and decided to go as long as I can, if that takes me beyond 10,000 songs picked then that'll be cool. Anyway, this song just seemed to be the perfect one for today's monumental pick. For those who do not know the song title was the old way that telephone numbers were done from the 30s to the 60s, which was two letters and five numbers: PE-65000. This number was for the Hotel Pennsylvania's Cafe Rouge where many big bands played.   Hear PEnnsylvania 6 - 5000 on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Nirvana - Negative Creep   My song pick 2 years ago today: Gravity Kills - Falling My song pick 3 years ago today: The Network - Roshambo My song pick 4 years ago today: Glass Tiger - Animal Heart My song p...

From: Cab Calloway ; Year: 1956 (1939); Genre: Swing Jazz It's been a while since I've chosen a song from Cab Calloway, who is one of my favourite big band leaders, boy, was he a showman and had an amazing voice. I really wish I could go back and see the legend perform in his prime, but at least we have the videos from back then. Hear The Ghost of Smokey Joe on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Spiral Starecase - More Today Than Yesterday My song pick 2 years ago today: Big Brother & the Holding Company - Oh, Sweet Mary My song pick 3 years ago today: Ebony Rhythm Band - Soul Heart Transplant My song pick 4 years ago today: Pallas - Cut and Run My song pick 5 years ago today: Sky - Dies Irae My song pick 6 years ago today: Buddy Holly - Crying, Waiting, Hoping My song pick 7 years ago today: Waylander - Erdath My song pick 8 years ago today: Jim Croce - Workin' at the Car Wash Blues My song pick 9 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Fla...

From: What a Wonderful Christmas ; Year: 1997 (1962); Genre: Jazz/Christmas Music Well, it's Christmas Eve; nothing better than throwing on some Christmas jazz from some of the Greats to set the mood. Hear Jingle Bells on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Bob Rivers - Goin' Up To Bethlehem My song pick 2 years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - The Night Santa Went Crazy My song pick 3 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - A Mad Russian's Christmas My song pick 4 years ago today: Bing Crosby - White Christmas My song pick 5 years ago today: B. Bumble and the Stingers - Nut Rocker My song pick 6 years ago today: Jethro Tull - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen My song pick 7 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Wizards in Winter My song pick 8 years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Christmas at Ground Zero My song pick 9 years ago today: Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) - I Believe in Father Christmas My song ...

From: The Best of Louis Armstrong & Friends: The Christmas Collection ; Year: 2003 (1953); Genre: Jazz/Christmas Music Merry Christmas all! Can't go wrong with some Satchmo on Christmas Day; more than a perfect pick. Hear Cool Yule on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - This Christmas Day My song pick 2 years ago today: Bob Rivers - Joy to the World My song pick 3 years ago today: The Jive Turkeys - Get Down Santa My song pick 4 years ago today: John Lennon & Yoko Ono and The Plastic Ono Band - Happy X-Mas (War Is Over) My song pick 5 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Midnight Clear My song pick 6 years ago today: Jethro Tull - A Winter Snowscape My song pick 7 years ago today: Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas My song pick 8 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Gaudete My song pick 9 years ago today: Ian Anderson - A Birthday Card At Christmas My song pick 10 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Another Christmas...

From: Carnegie Hall, January 16th, 1938, The Complete Concert ; Year: 1950 (1938); Genre: Swing Jazz I happened to hear this song the other day and it's stayed with me ever since; as I usually do, I'm making it my pick. Even if you don't know it by title I can all but guarantee that you'll know it almost instantly; it's a very, very famous piece. I love the drums in particular, but the entire big band is orchestrated to perfection; a truly great song. Hear Sing, Sing, Sing on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Allman Brothers Band - Dreams My song pick two years ago today: Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love My song pick three years ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Superstition My song pick four years ago today: Journey - To Play Some Music My song pick five years ago today: Apocalyptica featuring Till Lindemann - Helden My song pick six years ago today: James Gang - Funk 49 My song pick seven years ago today: M...

Year: 1935; Genre: Big Band (Swing) Jazz I had some jazz on my mind today; this is one of the two biggest hits from Freddy Taylor and His Swing Men from Harlem. Those who don't understand jazz terminology might not catch the overt drug reference in the song's title. "Viper" was a slang term used for someone who smoked marijuana; this came from the sound a person makes when taking a toke, which was thought sounded like a snake's hiss. When you understand that you should more or less be able to figure out what a "Viper's Dream" is. Anyway, this is a great pieces of early swing featuring none other than guitar maestro Oscar Alemán. Hear Viper's Dream on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Mr. Big - Tempermental My song pick two years ago today: Heart - Crazy on You My song pick three years ago today: Billy Thorpe - East of Eden's Gate My song pick four years ago today: The Delegates - Convention '72 My song pick five...

From: The Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need ; Year: 1999 (1932); Genre: Jazz I'm choosing another where my pick number coincides with the date when a song was released. This jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington with lyrics by Irving Mills was one of the songs to dominate the charts in the year 1932. While it's not technically "Swing Jazz" it was one of, if not the first song to coin the term "Swing" and contains many of the elements that would create the jazz sub-genre that reined supreme throughout the mid 1930s-1940s. It has been recorded a multitude of times by many artists, but my favourite version by far is the one that features Louis Armstrong along with Duke Ellington. Hear It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) on YouTube. Hear a version of the song featuring the incomparable Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong on YouTube. - Does it really get any better? My song pick a year ago today: Jefferson Airplane ...

From: Television Themes: 16 Most Requested Songs ; Year: 1994, (1952); Genre: Big Band Jazz Yesterday music icon and television personality Dick Clark passed away. It's facile to say, but without him the popular music landscape of the last 50 years would've been much different; no one can doubt that the man helped to make a lot of rock stars over years. There were actually quite a few songs from bands that appeared on his hit television show American Bandstand that I though about picking today, however in the end I thought that there was no better song to pick than the one he used as the show's theme. Here is a fan video with the original version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Oomph! featuring Nina Hagen - Feiber My song pick two years ago today: The Guess Who - Minstrel Boy My song pick three years ago today: Metallica - Nothing Else Matters My song pick four years ago today: Steely Day - Rikki Don't Lose That Number +

1274 Glenn Miller - In The Mood Last night my wife and I went out to a dance as part of the Valentine's Day celebration; they had a nice big band called Tuxedo Junction providing the music for the shindig. Anyway, this Big Band/Swing Jazz standard was the song they opened up the second set with; an excellent choice in my opinion. I can all but guarantee that almost everyone alive today has heard this song at some point in their lives. Hear In The Mood on YouTube. Watch a performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Tarot - Ashes To The Stars My song pick two year ago today: Goo Goo Dolls - Broadway My song pick three years ago today: The Offspring - Come Out And Play +

1194 Kay Kyser And His Orchestra - Praise The Lord and Pass the Ammunition Happy Thanksgiving all! I've been trying to think of a good, fitting song for the occasion. This was the first song that I thought of, it got stuck in my mind and would not leave, so I guess it's my pick for today. While being a morale song from World War II, it has a nice fitting feel/subject matter for the day. I cannot remember when I first heard this song, but it was a long time ago. However, more recently our friend, who is a WWII nut, bought a CD with a bunch of the music from The War and played it endlessly for quite a while. Anyway, have safe journey and traveling mercies for those out and about this Holiday weekend. Hear Praise The Lord and Pass the Ammunition on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Nightwish feat. Tapio Wilska - The Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean My song pick two years go today: Mason Proffit - Two Hangmen My song pick three years ago today: Frank Zappa - Don't Eat ...

1174 Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Ko-Ko Still feeling like some more Big Band Jazz this morning, plus I noticed that I have not chosen a Duke Ellington track yet; this is one of my favourites from his catalogue. This is a quite a neat sounding track, I especially love the way the horns are made to sound almost like they are talking. Hear Ko-Ko on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rush - Bastille Day My song pick two years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Brave New World My song pick three years ago today: C.W. McCall - Convoy +

1173 Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra - Skyliner This hot piece of Swing seemed to fit my mood quite well this morning. This is one of Charlie Barnet's more famous compositions though he is probably best known for his rendition of Ray Noble's song Cherokee , which can be found here on YouTube . I absolutely love the way the saxophones were used/arranged in this song: they just cut right through the middle quite nicely; which probably has something to do with Charlie Barnet's primary instrument being the sax. Hear Skyliner on YouTube Watch a live performance of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Santana - Oye Como Va My song pick two years ago today: Joe Walsh - Vote for Me My song pick three years ago today: Jerry Reed - East Bound and Down +

1080 Cab Calloway - The Jumpin' Jive (Hep-Hep!) I felt like listening to some Cab Calloway this morning, especially this up-beat Swing tune. I am always amazed whenever I see and hear his performances, this man and his music are timeless in my opinion. I don't believe he could ever be truly out of fashion in any decade; the man oozes style. Anyway, this one was co-written by Cab Calloway, Frank Froeba, and Jack Palmer around the late 1930s. This tune is probably most famous for being the vehicle behind The Nicolas Brothers' remarkable dance number in the musical film Stormy Weather . Here is a 78 Rpm vinyl recording of the song on YouTube. Here is the performance of the song from the musical Stormy Weather featuring The Nicolas Brothers' dance number on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Police - Synchronicity II My song pick two years ago today: Eddie Money - Take Me Home Tonight +