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

From: If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears ; Year: 1966; Genre: Folk Rock/Psychedelic Rock Had this one playing in my mind for most of the day yesterday, which is not a bad thing by any measure; it's a very good, iconic song. Far and gone the vocals are simply amazing, and being combined with the pros that were the Wrecking Crew, you get the great track that this one is.   Hear California Dreamin' on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Iron Maiden - The Trooper     My song pick 2 years ago today: Rockwell - T.V. Psychology     My song pick 3 years ago today: Jim Stafford - Wildwood Weed   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Cure - The 13th   My song pick 6 years ago today: Rush - Carnies My song pick 7 years ago today: Bootsy's Rubber Band - Another Point of View My song pick 8 years ago today: America - Watership Down My song pick 9 y...

From: Truth ; Year: 1968; Genre: Hard Rock/Blues Rock This is the second song that I am aware of that was inspired by the late 1950s novel and film On The Beach ; the other being Dancing With Tears In My Eyes by Ultravox. While being the very dark and heavy subject matter of the omnipresent threat of nuclear holocaust experienced by those who lived Post War into the 1990s, it is quite thought-provoking. It was originally written in the early '60s by singer/songwriter Bonnie Dobson and subsequently covered many times since. I really like the overall arrangement and direction on this cover. All of the music is absolutely great as is Rod Stewart's vocals.   Hear Morning Dew on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Carmen - Sailor Song     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Isley Brothers - Hope You Feel Better Love (Part 1+2)     My song pick 3 years ago today: Gary Wright - Dream Weaver   My song pick 4 years ago today: Glass...

From: Year ; Year: 1993; Genre: Folk Rock It just now hit me that I needed to choose another one of Maddy Prior's songs. Her Year album has always been a personal favourite, mostly due to her emotive vocal performance throughout the record. There's a spectacularly beautiful forlorn, far off and beckoning quality here that is truly unique.   Hear Somewhere Along the Road on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Focus - Why Dream?     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Beatles - We Can Work It Out   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Band - The Weight   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Four Tops - Reflections   My song pick 5 years ago today: Rare Earth - Hum Along and Dance   My song pick 6 years ago today: Rammstein - Radio   My song pick 7 years ago today: Matthews' Southern Comfort - Tell Me Why My song pick 8 years ago today: Sam & Dave - Hold On, I'm Coming My song pick 9 years ago today: Glen Camp...

From: Bwncath ; Year: 2017; Genre: Folk Rock Discovered this Welsh band the other day, and as always, I love anything different, which Bwncath definitely fits. From wot I understand Bwncath in the Welsh language translates as Buzzard, hence the band's logo I suppose. Anyway, I know absolutely no Welsh in either written or spoken form, which they sing in, however, from wot I have read, this track is about the famous Welsh pirate Bartholomew Roberts , (aka: Black Bart), who was the most successful buccaneer of the golden age of piracy. On this one they idealize the exploits and stories of the long-dead countryman. I really like the music, especially the reverb-heavy surf style guitar that adds a lot to the overall folk rock sound of the band.   Hear Barti Ddu on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Paul Kantner and Jefferson Starship - Home/Have You Seen the Stars Tonight     My song pick 2 years ago today: Molly Hatchet - Backstabber  ...

From: Liege & Lief ; Year: 1969; Genre: Folk/Folk Rock This is another really interesting piece that is a folk rock arrangement of a traditional folk song: Roud 493; known as The Deserter and/or Ratcliffe Highway . From wot I can find, it was written sometime in either the 18th or 17th Century and has no definite author. One aspect about a lot of these old folk ballads is that most are based on a kernel of truth about some actual happening, although I do not know anything about if it is true of this one. The Deserter is one that Sandy Denny lent her beautiful voice to as lead vocalist, which, in my opinion is already a big win. However, though one should not be remissed in the great folk rock arrangement of the band. That floating time signature that is mostly in a waltz keeps the listener off balance somewhat, but helps to keep the attention of those beholding the story being told as to not let their regard for it to diminish.   Hear The Deserter on YouTube.     ...

From: Poodle Hat ; Year: 2003; Genre: Folk Rock/Comedy Noticed that today's pick number, 6886, is, of course a numerical palindrome , so I decided I should choose something appropriate. This "Weird Al" song is an "in the style of" type of his music; this time it was the titular "Bob" Dylan in the mid-'60s, although he does reference a couple of his songs in particular. Every lyric line is in the form of a palindrome throughout, and, of course Al, being the maven he is, does his best both lyrically and musically.   Watch the music video on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Four Tops - 7 Rooms of Gloom     My song pick 3 years ago today: Spacehog - Zeroes   My song pick 4 years ago today: Carmen - Retirando   My song pick 5 years ago today: George Clinton - Last Dance My song pick 6 years ago today: Marillion - Cover My Eyes (Pain in Heaven)   My...

From: Rhymes & Reasons ; Year: 1969; Genre: Folk Rock I guess this one is a song that you will not understand unless "you know." Originally penned by folk great Tom Paxton, John Denver does an amazing job with such in the best way he can.   Hear The Ballad of Richard Nixon on YouTube.        My song pick 1 year ago today: The Thermals - Returning to the Fold     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Doors - Twentieth Century Fox     My song pick 3 years ago today: 1984 - There's a Wrinkle In Our Time   My song pick 4 years ago today: Bay City Rollers - Yesterday's Hero   My song pick 5 years ago today: Supertramp - Breakfast in America   My song pick 6 years ago today: Bobbie Gentry - Ode to Billie Joe   My song pick 7 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Eyes On Fire My song pick 8 years ago today: The Beach Boys - All Summer Long My song pick 9 years ago today: Bernard Wright - Who Do You Love My song pick 10 ye...

From: Full House ; Year: 1970; Genre: Folk/Folk Rock Sloth is among the fully original compositions on the record and one of their lengthier tracks. It has an amazing sound, arrangement and instrumentation throughout; a perfect balance of both folk and rock I have to say.   Hear Sloth on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Zones - New Life     My song pick 2 years ago today: Johnny Rivers - Seventh Son     My song pick 3 years ago today: Rare Earth - Satisfaction Guaranteed   My song pick 4 years ago today: Meat Loaf - You Took the Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Saturday Night)   My song pick 5 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Cam Ye O'er Frae France   My song pick 6 years ago today: Hawkwind - The Road To...   My song pick 7 years ago today: Lacy J. Dalton - 16th Avenue My song pick 8 years ago today: Rush - Something for Nothing My song pick 9 years ago today: Gary Davis - Gotta Get Your Love My so...

From: Daydream ; Year: 1966; Genre: Folk Rock This mellow folk rock tune just felt great for this mid summer's day. The guitar played with a bunch of tremolo really compliments the vocals in this one.   Hear Butchie's Tune on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Heart - Little Queen     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Rhythm Machine - Freakish Love     My song pick 3 years ago today: War - Don't Let No One Get You Down   My song pick 4 years ago today: Eddie Cochran - Summertime Blues   My song pick 5 years ago today: Peter Schilling - Major Tom (Coming Home)   My song pick 6 years ago today: Pallas - The Alien Messiah   My song pick 7 years ago today: The Beach Boys - Your Summer Dream My song pick 8 years ago today: Blue Cheer - Rock Me Baby My song pick 9 years ago today: The Byrds - So You Want to be a Rock 'n' Roll Star My song pick 10 years ago today: The Chi-Lites - Stoned Out of My Mind My ...

From: Snakes & Arrows ; Year: 2007; Genre: Folk Rock After watching some recent interviews with the two surviving members of the band I thought that I would revisit Snakes & Arrows once again. Still, it is difficult for me to comprehend that Neil Peart is gone... but a least Alex and Geddy are about to embark on a tour with Anika Nilles filling in on drums. Anyway, this is one of the three instrumental songs on this record and, if I remember correctly, when I saw them live for their tour promoting it, it was one of a handful of tracks they'd play whilst Neil rested after one of his epic drum solos. Whilst being a brief piece, Alex Lifeson, on his 12-string guitar really plays his heart out on it.   Hear Hope on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Grateful Dead - Shakedown Street     My song pick 2 years ago today: Boston - To Be a Man   My song pick 3 years ago today: George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars - T.A.P.O.A....

From: Back Home Again ; Year: 1970; Genre: Rock/Folk Rock I guess I am finally picking this tune, which is definitely not my favourite from Norman Greenbaum, but it has its place and I do listen to it every now and then. From my experience Canned Ham is probably the only other song from Mr. Greenbaum that most people acquainted with his music after his epic Spirit in the Sky . Actually, when I do think about it, I would have to say that most of his material either borders on or is of a whimsical nature, which this one definitely is whimsical, if not bordering on novelty/comedy. I still cannot, for the life of me, why someone would want to fry a canned ham nice and brown and put it in one's pocket and carry it around? The only logical conclusion I can make, other than it just being whimsical and nonsensical, is that "Canned Ham" must've been a slang/code for something else, but who knows, right?   Hear Canned Ham on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago toda...

From: Nebraska ; Year: 1982; Genre: Folk This, the lead and title track off of his Nebraska album, just happened to be on my mind today. It reminds me a lot of the old time folk singers from way back in how they wrote song about actual happenings, mostly gruesome tales and such. In this one he tells the tale of the serial killers Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate and their eight-day spree in 1958 killing 11 people. Although, he also was inspired by the writings of Flannery O'Connor , of which he took some artistic liberties with the tale. The best aspect of this song in my opinion is how he stripped it back to essentially just him and his guitar as well as him overdubbing a few other instruments. It comes off quite to my ears as Pete Seeger meets the acoustic music of Neil Young; very emotional and profound.   Hear Nebraska on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Wolfmother - City Lights     My song pick 2 years ago today: Mac Davis...

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: You Don't Mess Around With Jim ; Year: 1972; Genre: Folk Rock I remember buying an old stereo 8-track tape of this album at either a yard sale or thrift store back when I was a young teenager for five cents; the tape was already quite old and a dead format even back then. Not having a lot of money to spend then, I would normally get my music cheap and then record it onto a cassette tape or just play it. One thing about Jim Croce's albums, for me at least, I never skipped a song; I'd let it play. Each and every song was special and so uplifting. The only problem with 8-tracks was the fact that you couldn't rewind them, so, if you wanted to hear a song again you had to let it come back around on the continuous loop of tape. As long as you kept your player and cartridge in good working order it'd just keep playing, that is, until that little metal switching splice fell off and it started to eat your tape. then you'd have to re-spool and use the good ol' s...

From: Running Down the Road ; Year: 1969; Genre: Folk Rock/Jazz/Blues Played this record once more yesterday and was again just mesmerized by almost every facet of it; it's just one of those "historic" albums. Stealin' is a blues standard that is kind of nebulous as to its authorship, but has been one that many a wandering troubadour has played it live and in the studio over the last century. This recording of the track also has the distinction as being part of the soundtrack to the 1971 cult classic film Two-Lane Blacktop , which has most likely increased its popularity to some degree. There is a noted Dixieland Jazz feel to Arlo's rendition, which gives it a "singalong" feel; even when you have the record playing you get the compulsion to sing with everyone, even when you're by yourself with headphones on. Arlo Guthrie's music and attitude though is as such; his style is so inclusive to anyone listening. Just join in the chorus and become part ...

From: It's a Shame About Ray ; Year: 1992; Genre: Alternative Rock/Folk Rock It's another one of those times that a song that I haven't heard in decades, (about 30 years I'd wager), popped into my mind and started playing. At least this time I knew the name of the band that recorded it, so that really expedited the process of finding it again. This is actually a cover of a song that appeared in the landmark musical production Hair , which is something I did not know about this one, but now I do.    Hear Frank Mills on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Melvins - Revulsion/We Reach     My song pick 2 years ago today: Joe Satriani - Driving at Night   My song pick 3 years ago today: Big Maybelle - Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Coasters - Run Red Run   My song pick 5 years ago today: Return to Forever - After the Cosmic Rain   My song pick 6 years ago today: Nazareth - This Fligh...

From: Aerie ; Year: 1971; Genre: Folk Aerie is one of my top favourite John Denver records; it contains many of his songs that I like a great deal. Tools is a short, but sweet acoustic track that really acts like a "cooldown" to bring the album to a close, especially after the previous epic and energetic song The Eagle and the Hawk . Apparently it is an ode to a childhood pet rabbit he had for a short span.   Hear Tools on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Lovin' Spoonful - Daydream     My song pick 2 years ago today: Hawkwind - Lost Johnny   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Soul Searchers - Ashley's Roachclip   My song pick 4 years ago today: Frank Mackey & The Keltic Cowboys - Promise of a Better Life   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love   My song pick 6 years ago today: Yes - Harold Land   My song pick 7 years ago today: The Charles Mingus Quintet + Max Roach - Dr...

From: Dog & Butterfly ; Year: 1978; Genre: Folk Rock In my opinion this one of the Wilson sister's best songs they wrote. It reminds me a lot of Joni Mitchell from around the same era; whilst the music is more rock oriented and less jazzy just the way they weave the symbolism of dealing with personal struggles likened to the dog relentlessly trying to catch what is out of reach. It is very similar in the way Joni Mitchell compared her playing guitar to jets flying in the air in her song Amelia and the predatory nature of the proverbial  Coyote to that of a man in a bar trying to "score." I just love it when master songwriters, like Anne and Nancy Wilson confront a serious subject with some light-hearted whimsy; just makes for something special.   Hear Dog & Butterfly on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Alan Parsons Project - Lucifer     My song pick 2 years ago today: Midnight Oil - At the Time of Writing   My s...