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

From: Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas ; Year: 1960; Genre: Swing Jazz/Christmas Music Merry Christmas once again, for the 18th year now since starting my song blog. I happened to have this song, originally performed by Judy Garland in the musical Meet Me in St. Louis , which has been covered countless times since, most notably by Frank Sinatra and, of course the "First Lady of Song:" Ella Fitzgerald. As you can probably surmise, Ella's version is my favourite; her at amazing voice that cannot be replicated just steals the show and enraptures your senses.   Hear Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Survivor - Christmas is Here     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy's Christmas   My song pick 3 years ago today: John Denver & The Muppets - We Wish You A Merry Christmas   My song pick 4 years ago today: Bobby (Boris) Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers - Monsters'...

From: Porgy & Bess ; Year: 1959; Genre: Swing Jazz/Opera Summertime has and will probably always be one of my favourite standards; so far every rendition I have heard I love. This one though, it is without a single doubt the best in my personal opinion; I mean, how could you not with all of the legendary talent of these two? Hearing them duet and Satchmo's horn is the same as wrapping yourself up in your favourite warm blanket on a chilly day.   Hear Summertime on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Herman's Hermits - There's a Kind of Hush (All Over the World)   My song pick 2 years ago today: Jerry Reed - Eight More Miles To Louisville   My song pick 3 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Demon's Kiss   My song pick 4 years ago today: Bee Gees - I Gotta Get a Message to You   My song pick 5 years ago today: Ultravox - Mr. X   My song pick 6 years ago today: Charley Pride - Daydreams About Night Things My song pick 7 years...

From: Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule ; Year: 2022 (1957); Genre: Swing Jazz/Christmas Music Had to choose something from Pops this holiday season and Ella joins him on this one, or rather he joins her.   Hear  I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Smash Mouth - Father Christmas   My song pick 2 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Greensleeved   My song pick 3 years ago today: Chick Corea - What Child is This?   My song pick 4 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Prince of Peace   My song pick 5 years ago today: Bob Rivers - Flu Ride   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Pretenders - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas My song pick 7 years ago today: Bob Rivers & Twisted Radio - Didn't I Get This Last Year? My song pick 8 years ago today: Electric Jungle - Funky Funky Christmas My song pick 9 years ago today: Louis Armstrong - Winter Wonderland My song pick 10 years ago today...

From: Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas ; Year: 1960; Genre: Jazz/Swing Jazz My final pick of the year. I can say this: 2017 has been a year of change; not all for the better or for the worst. Anyway, here's hoping and praying for a great 2018; it'll be interesting to say the least what things will be like a year from now.... Whilst I'm not as big on seeing the old year out, this apt song was perfect for today's pick. And how could you not like hearing that magnificent voice of Ella Fitzgerald whilst celebrating the New Year? Hear What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Iron Maiden - When the Wild Wind Blows My song pick two years ago today: Primus with The Fungi Ensemble - Farewell Wonkites My song pick three years ago today: The Moody Blues - Nights in White Satin/Late Lament My song pick four years ago today: Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Old Rugged Cross My song pick five years ago today: Mahavishnu Orches...

From: The Classic Years ; Year: 2010 (1944); Genre: Jazz Here's another one where the date of the song's recording happens to also be the number to today's pick: 1944. I'm almost 2000 songs in and there are too many artists than I can count that haven't made my list yet; I've been meaning to pick one from this rather influential vocal group for a bit now and finally I have. Even though their place in musical history has been secured for many years, recently they have gained more popularity through their material being used as period music in a few popular video games: the Bioshock and Fallout series. Anyway, this is quite a pretty love song; with the addition of Ella Fitzgerald's beautiful and amazing vocals it makes it all that much more of an amazing track. Hear I'm Making Believe on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Vengeance (The Pact) My song pick two years ago today: Hawkwind - Sleep of a Thousand Tears...

From: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook ; Year: 1961; Genre: Jazz/Blues I'm making another pick where the date when a song was first released matches up with my pick number; it just so happens that this rather famous and beautiful piece of music was published in 1933. This is yet another standard that should be recognizable to almost anyone alive today.  It was originally written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler and has been recorded countless times since. However, among my favourite renditions of the song was the one recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, so, of course, it is my pick today. Hear Ella Fitzgerald's recording of Stormy Weather on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Dead Meadow - Greensky Greenlake My song pick two years ago today: Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart My song pick three years ago today: Duran Duran - Serious My song pick four years ago today: Styx - Crystal Ball My song pick five years ago today: Rush - Tom Sawyer

Today, I decided to pick Ella Fitzgerald's cover of the Irving Berlin song Blue Skies . When I first heard this song what stood out was the excellent scatting that she does as well as her amazing vocals; an excellent version of much covered piece of music. Here is a recording of the song on YouTube. +