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

From: Funkadelic ; Year: 1970; Genre: Soul/Psychedelic Funk I wonder what it was like back in the day when people dropped the needle down on this brand-new album and were greeted by this out-of-this-world funky psychedelia that the world had not truly experienced before? For me, I was born in a time that this music was already permeating the U.S. culture, so I have no idea wot this did for those listening to it for the first time. Anyway, as I have repeated endlessly: Eddie Hazel's mind-blowing guitar playing with that wah-wah pedal really is my main draw, but I will also state that Billy "Bass" Nelson's grooving bass is exquisite as well.    Hear Mommy, What's a Funkadelic? on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Ozric Tentacles - Fetch Me the Pongmaster     My song pick 2 years ago today: The (Young) Rascals - In the Midnight Hour     My song pick 3 years ago today: Rush - Peaceable Kingdom   My song pick 4 years ago t...

From: Up for the Down Stroke ; Year: 1974; Genre: Funk/Soul/R&B You could look at this track two ways: 1. it is a cover, or 2. it is a re-recording. Originally was cut for the predecessor Doo-Wop group: The Parliaments , of which George Clinton was the leader under the title (I Wanna) Testify . It was, of course, made funkier for Parliament, which I say is a plus.   Hear Testify on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Iain Matthews - Morgan the Pirate   My song pick 2 years ago today: Soundgarden - Tighter & Tighter   My song pick 3 years ago today: Damn Yankees - Runaway   My song pick 4 years ago today: Camel - Lies   My song pick 5 years ago today: Hawkwind - 65 Million Years Ago   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Police - Don't Stand Too Close To Me My song pick 7 years ago today: Mastodon - The Wolf is Loose My song pick 8 years ago today: Steely Dan - Don't Take Me Alive My song pick 9 years ago today: Jethr...

From: Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow ; Year: 1970; Genre: Psychedelic Rock Just wanted to pick another track that features Eddie Hazel's guitar playing, no other reason.    Hear Eulogy and Light on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Gene Autry - Joy to the World   My song pick 2 years ago today: Rufus Thomas - I'll Be Your Santa Baby   My song pick 3 years ago today: David Bowie & Bing Crosby - Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy   My song pick 4 years ago today: Uriah Heep - Take Away My Soul   My song pick 5 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Salamander's Rag Time   My song pick 6 years ago today: Gloryhammer - Universe on Fire My song pick 7 years ago today: Bon Jovi - Lay Your Hands on Me My song pick 8 years ago today: James Brown - Santa Claus Gave Me a Brand New Start My song pick 9 years ago today: The United States of America - Stranded in Time My song pick 10 years ago today: Boston - Can't...

From: Maggot Brain ; Year: 1971; Genre: Funk/Psychedelic Rock/Soul/Hard Rock As I have probably stated prior: Funkadelic is one of my all-time favourite bands, and Maggot Brain has definitely become my top liked from them. This is the last track on the record and they really let it all out with the loud random statements and weird sound effects, but for me personally I love the fusion of the starkly differing and similar sound and genres. Of course, anything with a guitar solo from the late-great Eddy Hazel is a win in my book.   Hear Wars of Armageddon on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Black 47 - Fanatic Heart   My song pick 2 years ago today: Motörhead - Hellraiser   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Charlie Daniels Band - Reflections   My song pick 4 years ago today: Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot   My song pick 5 years ago today: Victor Wooten - Keep it Low   My song pick 6 years ago today: Klaatu -...

From: Rest In P ; Year: 1994; Genre: Funk Rock I really wish that there was more material out there from the late-great Mr. Hazel; he was without a shadow of a doubt one of the greatest guitarists of our time. This entire album was more or less a compilation of unreleased songs from the mid 1970s that featured P-Funk alumni amongst other noted talent. This instrumental track is a blend of hard funk-rock with a mix of jazz fusion thrown in. I especially love the drums and how they hold everything in "orbit" whilst keeping busy, but Eddie's guitar is really wot you came for and it shows.   Hear Relic 'Delic (Purple Hazel) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: George Thorogood and the Destroyers - I Drink Alone   My song pick 2 years ago today: Toronto - All I Need   My song pick 3 years ago today: Queen - It's Late   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Alan Parsons Project - Don't Let It Show   My song pick 5 years ago today: Jethro Tu...

From: Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs ; Year: 1977; Genre: Funk/Soul/Psychedelic Rock/Hard Rock Man, there is a lot of blending of some genres for this monster instrumental from the legendary guitar virtuoso Eddie Hazel on this just-over-two-minute instrumental. Originally this track, as well as three others, was released on what is a rare EP titled Jams From the Heart , but was also included in a special expanded edition of Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs back in 2004.   Hear Unkut Funk on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Harlequin - Rise   My song pick 2 years ago today: Toronto - Lookin' for Trouble   My song pick 3 years ago today: Judas Priest - Evening Star   My song pick 4 years ago today: John Denver - Sunshine On My Shoulders My song pick 5 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Madness to the Method My song pick 6 years ago today: Jerry Reed - Rooster Jones My song pick 7 years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Journey From E...

From: Rest in P ; Year: 1994 (1975/6); Genre: Jazz Fusion/Psychedelic Rock Was thinking about master guitarist Eddie Hazel today and thought I'd choose something from him. From wot I understand, this posthumous release was assembled from unfinished songs Eddie Hazel recorded in the mid 1970s and then finished by P-Funk members in the years after his passing. This beautiful, ethereal piece opens this disc and is definitely something to behold; he immediately blows you away with his amazing virtuosity, not with maximum notes per second, but he makes each and every note cry out and sing in the most purposeful manner. It still confounds me to this day how this master of his instrument is not spoken about in the same breath as those who are considered "guitar gods" and such; it's downright criminal.   Hear Until It Rains on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: April Wine - Say Hello   My song pick 2 years ago today: Funkadelic - Free Your Mind... and Your ...