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

From: Déjà Vu ; Year: 1970; Genre: Folk Rock/Country Rock This has always been one of my favourite albums from CSN&Y; one of the first records of theirs that I bought. Heck, this is another one of those albums that might as well be a "Greatest Hits" compilation with essentially every one of the tracks getting radio play; definitely easier to name the non hit singles, that's for sure! Teach Your Children is one in particular that has permeated culture since its release; almost to the point of overplay, but with its writing and arranging it avoids that negative aspect in some regard. Apparently Graham Nash wrote it years prior when in The Hollies, but never got recorded until with CS&N. I do not believe that Neil Young had anything to do with this track on the record, but he was part of the act on the record. Without a doubt though, the best aspect of this one is hearing Jerry Garcia playing his pedal steel doing counter-lines, harmonies, and solos.   Hear Teach Yo...

From: Crosby, Stills & Nash ; Year: 1969; Genre: Folk/Folk Rock/Jazz It's a good bet now that everyone has heard of the passing of legendary singer/songwriter/musician David Crosby; as with what seems to be happening more often as of late, I'm, of course, choosing one of his songs. This rather interesting track written and sung by Crosby on the debut record for the trio whilst mostly being of the folk rock persuasion, it has a notable infusion of jazz, which makes it somewhat unique.    Hear Guinnevere on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Yellow No 5 - Everything Cherries   My song pick 2 years ago today: Pallas - Blood and Roses   My song pick 3 years ago today: Faith No More - Zombie Eaters   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby My song pick 5 years ago today: The Who - The Song Is Over My song pick 6 years ago today: Gloryhammer - Questlords of Inverness, Ride to the Galactic Fortress! My song pick...

From: Déjà Vu ; Year: 1970; Genre: Folk Rock/Country Rock Heard a lot of CSN&Y's music yesterday; I thought this rather soulful and beautiful song off of their first album with Neil Young on board would fit perfect for today. Hear Helpless on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Rose Royce - Car Wash My song pick two years ago today: Camel - Never Let Go My song pick three years ago today: Jerry Reed - The Legend My song pick four years ago today: Curved Air - Heaven (Never Seemed So Far Away) My song pick five years ago today: Alestorm - Rum My song pick six years ago today: Bachman & Turner - Slave to the Rhythm My song pick seven years ago today: Pink Floyd - San Tropez My song pick eight years ago today: Janis Joplin - Mercedes Benz My song pick nine years ago today: Pink Floyd - Pigs On The Wing Parts 1 and 2 My song pick ten years ago today: Charlie Parker - Blues For Alice

From: Déjà Vu ; Year: 1970; Genre: Rock/Folk Rock Most of yesterday I had this rather legendary song stuck in my mind; seemed like a good choice and as I usually do I went on to pick it. Great track from a great band. Hear Carry On on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion My song pick two years ago today: Larry Graham and Graham Central Station - Turn it Out My song pick three years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Smells Like Nirvana My song pick four years ago today: Rush - Closer to the Heart My song pick five years ago today: Johannes Brahms - Op. #45 - (A German Requiem, To Words of the Holy Scriptures) My song pick six years ago today: Heart - Love Alive My song pick seven years ago today: Gregg Allman - I'm No Angel My song pick eight years ago today: Yes - Long Distance Runaround/The Fish (schindleria praematurus)

From: Crosby, Stills & Nash ; Year 1969; Genre: Folk Rock This morning I heard this song come on the radio and I thought I would go ahead and pick it. Originally I thought this song was written by David Crosby and Steven Stills, but apparently it was also co-penned by Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane. The same year Jefferson Airplane released their own version that had a few differences from the Crosby, Stills & Nash version; from what I understand they both are considered the "Original." On the surface of this song that musically appears rather calm and laid-back with somewhat, may I say, "happy" overtones carries a very ominous message along with it. Earlier on over the many times I'd heard this song I never really paid much attention to the lyrics; I preferred paying attention to the intricate music. However, one time I sat down and closely listened to the lyrics and was taken aback; before that I never understood what exactly the song was...

793 ( Crosby, Stills & Nash - Just a Song Before I Go ) I have been meaning to choose this song for some time now; I am finally thinking about it at the time I am posting. This is one of my favored CS&N songs, which is a Graham Nash composition. I have always loved the lyrics of this track; what is interesting is that he wrote it in 15 minutes on the road to the airport. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: #421 Robert Mitchum - Ballad of Thunder Road My song pick two years ago today: #53 Blue Öyster Cult - Harvest Moon +

Last night this track popped into my mind while watching a program on the TV about Morocco. The harmonies along with the chord progression are the main aspects that drives the song for me. A plus for me is that it is a nice easy going song for a cold and otherwise stressful day. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a classic acoustic live performance on YouTube. This song starts at about the 3:15 mark. +

Last night I was kept awake by my new neighbors playing something loud, something quite boring with an alternating low E note and a B note. I did not want make another enemy amongst my neighbors, so I let it go for now and they did not wake up the little guy. Anyway, I could not sleep so I turned on the History Channel and they had a program about The Kent State Massacre ; immediately this song began playing in my mind. Ohio was written in response to the event as a protest and even though it was banned on popular radio it still became hit. What I really like about this song is how good the music is and how it takes the message to a new level. Hear Ohio on YouTube. +