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

From: Theme From "A Summer Place" ; Year: 1959; Genre: 20th Century classical Re-watching the new series based on Stephen King's novel It ;  It: Welcome to Derry . I'm really enjoying seeing wot I have missed the first time through; there is a great deal going on throughout. Anyway, I have heard this song in a few of the Stephen King miniseries/films and it almost always is the prelude to a disturbing scene. Kind of a "bait and switch" where this light and pretty piece puts the viewer at ease just to "pull the rug out" and leave you reeling. Its to the point that when I happen to hear this one outside of a King film I expect something bad to happen; I guess I watch too much of those. Anyway, this may be the most popular version of it, but is not the original and, funny enough, was never the actual theme to the 1959 movie , but rather a tune played in the background sporadically throughout the picture. I guess this is a case of the song staying fam...

From: Death Wish: Original Soundtrack Recording ; Year: 1974; Genre: Jazz Fusion/classical Had Herbie Hancock's work on my mind most of last night and today. He has always been one whose music just mesmerizes me; a modern classical composer at the same level as the greats in my opinion. Anyway, it never clicked with me that he wrote the soundtrack to the original Charles Bronson epic Death Wish . Honestly, I have not watched the film for a long time, so it's not all that surprising I suppose. Really like the playful naming of the overall title with the play on words "sweet revenge," but with it being a suite of music the homo-phonetic sound of the two words was I guess too much to resist for Mr. Hancock. Suite Revenge is a collection of 5 shorter pieces of music (a): Striking Back , (b): Riverside Park , (c): The Alley , (d): Last Stop , and (e): 8th Avenue Station .   Hear Suite Revenge on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Jimi Hendrix Expe...

From: Prepare Thyself to Deal With a Miracle ; Year: 1973; Genre: Jazz/Jazz Fusion/Hard Bop Jazz/classical This has to be one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have every heard written by musical master Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Whilst most would immediately think of "Black Classical Jazz Hard Bop" that he is most noted for; this one is an in-your-face fusion of Hard Bop and Contemporary Classical music. So many interesting and delightful sounds to be heard in this uplifting music.   Hear Seasons: One Mind Winter/Summer/Ninth Ghost on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Kinks - Death of a Clown     My song pick 2 years ago today: Faith No More - A Small Victory   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Offspring - Pay the Man   My song pick 4 years ago today: Marillion - Living in F E A R   My song pick 5 years ago today: Black Label Society - The Day That Heaven Had Gone Away   My song pick 6 years ago today: Electri...

From: Alundra Original Soundtrack ; Year: 1997; Genre: Classical It has been a long time since I delved into this amazing soundtrack; this is my second favourite track from the simply amazing video game Alundra . Probably most recently Kohei Tanaka is best known as the composer for the Animé One Piece as well as a slew of other series, movies, and video games. Immediately my mind is taken back to the large fortress frozen in time, having to figure out all of the puzzles just to get to the final boss fights. The Shrine of the Lake is one of the best songs to have in the background whilst performing such tasks as puzzles; it really gets your mind moving, not taking you attention away from the task, but rather being an omnipresent force helping you along. Even playing it whilst performing real-life tasks it's one of those that really helps you along.   Hear The Shrine of the Lake on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Esteban - Flamenco Wind   My song...

From: The Empire Strikes Back (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) ; Year: 1980; Genre: Soundtrack/classical Admittedly, I have not put a lot of thought into this "May the 4th" pick, but at least it's a great and well-known piece from the soundtrack of the second, (or 5th), Star Wars film depending on if you go chronologically or by release date. Anyway, master composer John Williams really did an amazing job creating a masterpiece for the ages through his channeling greats like Gustav Holst and Frédéric Chopin amongst others to bring out the feel of the villain.   Hear The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Meco - Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Kinks - So Mystifying   My song pick 3 years ago today: Kiss - God of Thunder   My song pick 4 years ago today: Chris Squire - You By My Side   My song pick 5 years ago today: Blind Melon - Galaxie My song pick 6 yea...

From The Secret of NIMH (Original Soundtrack Recording) ; Year: 1982; Genre: Contemporary Classical/Soundtrack I find it just weird how many time as of late that Paul Williams ' name has popped up whilst researching different music, film and other media, or so it would seem. It just so happened that on this movie's soundtrack he teamed up with legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith and wrote the lyrics for this piece; I always knew and liked the song, but never took the time to look up the particulars of it. Don Bluth's The Secret of NIMH was an animated motion picture that I literally grew up watching and have always has a fondness for it. Although I kind of am taken aback at the amount of blood, violence and death depicted in a film that was targeted to family viewing; I find that a lot re-watching such films from the '70s and '80s. Back then I suppose it was believed that children were able to grasp such concepts of life; mayhap we as a society try to protect our f...

From: Music Box Dancer ; Year: 1979; Genre: Soft Rock/Pop/classical Grew up hearing this pretty instrumental piece a lot, but mostly was familiar with the cover performed by Eric Robertson, but I still knew of and heard the original many times as well. I've always thought, with the very mechanical nature of the song, that it would probably be very difficult for a musician such as myself who likes play freer with the rhythm and beat to perform it. Although I have never tried playing it, I probably should at some point.   Hear Music Box Dancer on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Kool & The Gang - Let the Music Take Your Mind   My song pick 2 years ago today: Eric Clapton - Pilgrim   My song pick 3 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult -  Let Go   My song pick 4 years ago today: Head East - Since You've Been Gone My song pick 5 years ago today: Bill Haley and his Comets - Shake, Rattle and Roll My song pick 6 years ago today: Kansa...

From: CelloPathie ; Year: 2003; Genre: Contemporary Classical Well, I made it a full decade of blogging about music today, and without missing a day. I tell ya, it's hard to believe that 10 years ago, (September 1st, 2007), I started this blog on MySpace and two years later migrated to Blogger, where I've been ever since. I was never sure I'd make it this far or where I'll eventually stop, but I don't see me stopping anytime soon; I have to keep my couple of regular readers happy after all. Anyway, as I said, it's my song-a-day blog's tenth anniversary, where I usually pick a song from J.S. Bach, but is also a Friday, and I've been making Funky Friday picks consecutively and would also hate to break my streak, which stands at 207 counting today. So it took me a while to find one that would fit both criteria because I'd already chosen Walter Murphy's " Toccata and Funk in D-Minor ," but eventually I found this one, which is a medle...

From: Rodrigo: Complete Concertos for Guitar and Harp incl. Concierto de Aranjuez ; Year: 1999 (1939); Genre: 20th Century classical/Flamenco We've all had those times when there's a song playing in your head and because it's an instrumental/classical piece or such; this is one that was driving me insane for years now. However, the other day I finally discovered its title and who wrote it, so, yes, this is today's pick. If you've heard the piece before it's most likely the second movement, which is definitely notable. The flamenco guitar and the woodwinds really drive this composition and bring out so many emotions; definitely one of the best pieces written last century. Watch a full performance of Concierto de Aranjuez on YouTube. Or hear only the most famous second movement on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - Entrow My song pick two years ago today: Judas Priest - Screaming for Vengeance M...

From: The Jethro Tull Christmas Album ; Year: 2003; Genre: Christmas Music/Progressive Rock/classical Being that this is the week of Christmas I figured I should pick some music for the season. This instrumental blends a lot of similar and contrasting styles in a medley Christmas song along with some original material as well. It's a great mover that gets the blood moving for the Holidays. Hear Holly Herald on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Sting - Gabriel's Message My song pick two years ago today: Sly and the Family Stone - Bad Risk My song pick three years ago today: Bob Dylan - See That My Grave is Kept Clean My song pick four years ago today: Bob Rivers & Twisted Radio - I Am Santa Claus My song pick five years ago today: Daft Punk - End of Line My song pick six years ago today: Avatar (Savatage) - Rock Me My song pick seven years ago today: Savatage - White Witch My song pick eight years ago today: Paul McCartney - Little Willow ...

From: Chariots of Fire (Original Score) ; Year: 1981; Genre: Classical/Soundtrack About anybody who's been alive for the last 30 years has probably heard this song, and it's one that often just under the surface of my mind just waiting to bob its head up and "earworm" me, like today. The opening Titles from Chariots of Fire is one of those film scores that actually eclipsed the film it was made for. I love the mix of piano and traditional musical instruments with full-blown synth; definitely a song for the ages. Hear Chariots of Fire - Titles on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Chet Atkins - Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) My song pick two years ago today: Bob Dylan - Forever Young My song pick three years ago today: Les Paul & Mary Ford - How High the Moon My song pick four years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Rain is Falling My song pick five years ago today: Rush - Red Lenses My song pick six years ago today: The Ki...

From: Trilogy ; Year: 1972; Genre: Progressive Rock/classical After listening to a bunch of ELP last night there were a few songs I had in mind for today's pick; this mini three-part magnum opus won out though. It's strange; even though this one is over 10 minutes of music, and highly technical at that, this one keeps you captivated for the entire length of the piece. Hear The Endless Enigma in its entirety on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Hawkwind - Lost Chances My song pick two years ago today: Elton John - Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time) My song pick three years ago today: Béla Bartók - BB 52 - String Quartet No. 1 in A minor My song pick four years ago today: Victor Wooten - Us 2 My song pick five years ago today: The Sons of the Pioneers - Cool Water My song pick six years ago today: Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky My song pick seven years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Here is the News My ...

From: Works Volume 1 ; Year: 1977; Genre: Classical/Progressive Rock/Symphonic Rock I was in the mood for something a bit different from what I've been picking as of late. I remembered this rather epic album from EL&P and thought it would be a great idea to pick something from it. Anyway, this is the opening piece, which was written and composed by Keith Emerson is a proper concerto that takes up the first side of the double LP. You can certainly hear the influence from many classical composers that had an influence on him throughout; mostly from the Romantic and early 20th Century periods. Hear Piano Concerto No. 1 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jim Reeves & Patsy Cline - Have You Ever Been Lonely (Have You Ever Been Blue?) My song pick two years ago today: Soundgarden - Worse Dreams My song pick three years ago today: Hawkwind - Quark, Strangeness and Charm My song pick four years ago today: Steve Vai - Call it Sleep My song pick five years...

From: Sky 2 ; Year: 1980; Genre: Progressive Rock I had music from the band Sky on my mind this morning. This is a four part suite of neoclassical/rock music from the pen of Francis Monkman: FIFO; Adagio; Scherzo; and Watching Areoplanes. It's a great nerdfest for those who like different music. Hear the full suite on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Faith No More - Easy My song pick two years ago today: Pallas - Rise and Fall, Part 1 My song pick three years ago today: Counting Crows - Mr. Jones My song pick four years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Lookin Out My Back Door My song pick five years ago today: The Grass Roots - Midnight Confessions My song pick six years ago today: The Tornadoes - Telstar

From: Star Trek: The Motion Picture Soundtrack ; Year:1979; Genre: 20th Century/Contemporary Period/classical Today marks my 1701st song picked and as anyone who is a science fiction geek/nerd would know 1701 has a special meaning for us Star Trek fans. 1701 is, of course, the registry number for the Starship Enterprise : NCC-1701. There were actually quite a few pieces of music from the different series and films to choose from for this pick, but the Main Title from the first film is probably one of the most memorable across the franchise. Although this piece of music was written for the first film and parts of it were re-used for Star Trek V: The Final Frontier , most would probably remember this one as the opening title for Star Trek: The Next Generation . Here is the music with footage from the film on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Queensrÿche - Welcome to the Machine My song pick two years ago today: Sheena Easton - For Your Eyes Only My song pick thre...

1281 Spaghetti Western Orchestra - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Later... with Jools Holland is one of the shows I've been into for quite some time now, however the only time I seem to get to watch it is when I'm having a bout with insomnia due to it only being available at 1:00 in the morning. Anyway, the other night I happened upon a re-run of the show which featured the Spaghetti Western Orchestra. As their name implies, they play selections from the Spaghetti Westerns as well as other Westerns; the music written by Ennio Morricone in particular. From what I understand they were originally called the "Ennio Morricone Experience," but for some reason they are now known as the Spaghetti Western Orchestra. Anyway, this is, of course, the theme to Sergio Leone's epic masterpiece film: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly written by Ennio Morricone; the original theatrical version of the song can be heard here on YouTube . Watch the live performance from ...

1193 Eric Robertson - "Spooked" on Classics I have no idea why I haven't chosen this rather unique track yet; it probably would have been more fitting about a month ago around Halloween. Anyway, from time to time I have mentioned what you could refer to as and what Max calls "Dad Music" i.e. music that your father played a lot while you were growing up that ended up eventually being part of your musical tastes. My dad has always been fan of instrumental music, this was one of the records that he played countless times over the years. Piano Hits was one of those albums sold on a late-night infomercial; it features piano maestro Eric Robertson's renditions of movie themes; most of which he did a wonderful job in his interpretations. I believe that my dad originally bought it for his rendition of Vangelis' Chariots of Fire . Anyway, amongst these movie themes there was one track that was original; "Spooked" on Classics was that track. To adequ...

876 ( Adam Gilberti - Dragon's First Flight ) I ran into this very interesting song a bit ago and just had to add it to my list; it is one the most interesting and new sounding songs that I have heard in a while. This piece was composed by Adam Gilberti for a quartet of contrabass saxophones. When someone conjures the image of a saxophone you get the image is a hand held instrument with the classic "J" shape of the popular tenor or alto sax. However just like most other orchestral instruments there is an entire family of saxophones. For those who are not aware of the nomenclature, the contrabass is larger and lower pitched than the bass or baritone saxophones. This quartet is actually composed of two contrabass saxophones and two tubax ; one contrabass and the other subcontrabass, which is pitched even lower yet. Apparently the video was deleted by whoever uploaded it, sorry. My song pick a year ago today: Zakk Wylde - Farm Fiddlin' My song pick two years ago today: ...

843 ( Ian Anderson - In the Moneylender's Temple ) I was a bit leery about this album, Divinities: Twelve Dances With God , when it first came out and did not buy it until just a few years ago to complete my collection of Ian Anderson's solo albums. I guess it was the overall concept of the album itself which put me off to begin with, however after I bought it I was pleasantly surprised and some of the songs grew on me; in my opinion going into something with low expectations always makes it better in the end. The whole concept behind the album was a suite of music themed to some of the major "isms" and cultures in the world with Ian's brand of Contemporary Modern classical music mixed with some Rock. The entire album sounds quite eclectic at times, especially if you "bounce" between or shuffle the songs, however if you listen to it linearly you don't notice it as much. This one, as you might have guessed, would be the "religion" of banking...

I debated a lot about picking songs from video games, however, much the music that is played behind some video games is in fact quite good; so I decided to go ahead and pick a song from a video game that I believe is quite excellent. This song is from the video game " Alundra ," which is an RPG similar to " Land Stalker " and " Zelda " that emphasized puzzle solving over monster killing. It was released in '97 and was one of the last bastions of 2D graphics, however it overcame this weakness with a great: storyline, soundtrack, and gameplay; plus the graphics were quite good for being 2D. As far as the soundtrack, it was all written and composed by Kohei Tanaka; the whole score to the game has been called "Neo-Classical" by some. In most games the music was meant to stay in the background, however the music from certain parts of the game almost never stayed in the background and almost demanded attention. In my opinion this song was one of th...