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

From: A Man of Value ; Year: 1972; Genre: Soul Had this rather profound song come on whilst driving the other day; it has been on my mind ever since. The Politician is one written by the ever-eloquent and productive songwriter/musician/singer Mac Davis, who I have come to admire the more I have delved into the breadth of his work. Mac never recorded this one as far I know, but really, I do not think you could get any better of a delivery and performance than that of the legendary Lou Rawls; this one just makes the hairs on your arms stand up and gives goose bumps/chills as the song progresses.   Hear The Politician on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: James Brown - Living in America     My song pick 2 years ago today: Pearls Before Swine - Ballad to an Amber Lady     My song pick 3 years ago today: Hawkwind - The Last Messiah   My song pick 4 years ago today: Traffic - Heaven is in Your Mind   My song pick 5 years a...

From: Close Company ; Year: 1984; Genre: Soul/Funk Had a bunch of Lou Rawls' songs on my mind today; this is one I truthfully thought I had already picked, but it is understandable with how much I play this song in particular. I have said it before, but for me, no matter the track, Lou Rawls' voice is one of the most comforting. It's just a bonus that this one has that funky bumping rhythm that makes you want to get up and face the world.    Hear Ready Or Not? on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Wootens - Your Style     My song pick 2 years ago today: Rare Earth - Big John Is My Name   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Moody Blues - In My World   My song pick 4 years ago today: Oomph! - Kennst Du Mich?   My song pick 5 years ago today: Rare Earth - 6-3-4-5   My song pick 6 years ago today: Commodores - Nightshift   My song pick 7 years ago today: Pallas - Throwing Stones at the Wind My song pick 8 ...

From: When the Night Comes ; Year: 1983; Genre: Soul For me, no matter wot it is, if Lou Rawls sung it chances are I will enjoy it. The legend had such an amazing voice that is so comforting; he was one-of-a-kind that's for sure. This title track from his 1983 album is a song that is musically written, arranged and played incredibly well makes for an incredible place for his awesome vocal presence. The only detractor I have is that at just under three minutes long it leaves me wanting more; it could've used another verse and extended last chorus in my opinion.   Hear When the Night Comes on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Muse - Will of the People     My song pick 2 years ago today: Kenny Loggins - Whenever I Call You "Friend"   My song pick 3 years ago today: R.E.O. Speedwagon - Don't Let Him Go   My song pick 4 years ago today: Rush - Hand Over Fist   My song pick 5 years ago today: Wild Turkey - Gentle Rain ...

From: Lou Rawls and Strings ; Year: 1965; Genre: Jazz/Soul Every now and then I run across a song title that would seem perfect for an occasion, but I never make a note of it. I am not sure if this was one such song, but I seemed to remember that Lou Rawls had a song with "Fool" in it, which fits today quite well. Am not 100 percent that this was the track I was thinking of, but it will have to do for this April Fools Day pick. Not like I need an excuse to listen to the legendary voice of Lou Rawls.   Hear Now And Then There's A Fool Such As I on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Ricky Nelson - Poor Little Fool   My song pick 2 years ago today: Whitesnake - Fool For Your Loving   My song pick 3 years ago today: James Brown - These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers - Why Do Fools Fall In Love   My song pick 5 years ago today: Billy Joel - Sometimes a Fantasy  ...

From: A Garfield Christmas Special ; Year: 1987; Genre: Jazz Alright, am now making a concerted effort to get in a more "merry" mood this year. This one was kind of a short "showstopper" for the '87 Garfield Christmas Special and in my opinion the best of the soundtrack. Sadly though, they apparently never released an actual soundtrack for it, unlike with other ones. I can say, it does bring back a lot of memories always marking the day of the broadcast and hearing and seeing the sound of the CBS Special announcement. Even after all these years the work of Lou Rawls, Desirée Goyette, and Ed Bogas is as great as ever; simply timeless in their effort/performance.   Hear You Can Never Find An Elf When You Need One on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: James Brown And The Famous Flames - Merry Christmas Baby   My song pick 2 years ago today: Styx - Just Get Through This Night   My song pick 3 years ago today: Stevie Wonder - Someday At Christmas ...

From: The Way It Was The Way It Is ; Year: 1969; Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B I could probably have Mr. Rawls playing for weeks on end and wouldn't get tired of hearing that legendary voice. Here's a seasonal pick from the classic performer doing a cover originally written and recorded by Donovan.   Hear Season of the Witch on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Ultravox - Someone Else's Clothes   My song pick 2 years ago today: Christopher Cross - Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Asia - True Colors   My song pick 4 years ago today: Elton John - Ego My song pick 5 years ago today: George Duke - Funny Funk   My song pick 6 years ago today: Steeleye Span - We Shall Wear Midnight My song pick 7 years ago today: Led Zeppelin - Over the Hills and Far Away My song pick 8 years ago today: Queen - Another One Bites the Dust My song pick 9 years ago today: U.K. - In the Dead of the Night My song pic...

From: You're Good For Me ; Year: 1968; Genre: Soul/Funk I don't see how I could go wrong with something with the legendary voice of Lou Rawls on this busy Friday; definitely helps getting through the day and then some.    Hear a live performance of I'm Satisfied along with Down Here On The Ground on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Blondie - Maria   My song pick 2 years ago today: Crash Test Dummies (feat. Ellen Reid) - The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead   My song pick 3 years ago today: Heart - Lost Angel   My song pick 4 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Harvest   My song pick 5 years ago today: Fat Larry's Band - Act Like You Know My song pick 6 years ago today: Laura Branigan - Deep in the Dark My song pick 7 years ago today: Bay City Rollers - I Only Want to Be With You My song pick 8 years ago today: Jethro Tull - One Brown Mouse My song pick 9 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - It's Over My song pi...

From: Let Me Be Good to You ; Year: 1979; Genre: Soul/Latin Jazz For me Lou Rawls never fails to lift my mood when feeling under the weather; he was such a treasure.   Hear What's the Matter With the World? on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Melvins - Up The Dumper   My song pick 2 years ago today: Lobo - Where Were You When I Was Falling In Love   My song pick 3 years ago today: Wilson Pickett - Back on the Right Track   My song pick 4 years ago today: Ultravox - Serenade   My song pick 5 years ago today: Fleetwood Mac - Over My Head My song pick 6 years ago today: Devo - Whip It My song pick 7 years ago today: Black Sabbath - After Forever My song pick 8 years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Sing a Song My song pick 9 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Ancient Eyes My song pick 10 years ago today: Banchee - Childern of the Universe My song pick 11 years ago today: Muse - Unnatural Selection My song pick 12 years ...

From: Lou Rawls and Strings ; Year: 1965; Genre: Jazz/Blues Here is an earlier hit from the golden voice that was Lou Rawls; every time I hear one of his songs I stop whatever I'm doing and bask in the aural bliss of him singing. What's even better about this entire album is that another one of my absolute favourite jazz musicians, band leaders, and songwriters: Benny Carter both conducted and arranged the music for this one. Two musical giants that I like and admire a great deal collaborated most excellently on this one.   Hear Three O'Clock in the Morning on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Funkadelic - First Ya Gotta Shake The Gate   My song pick 2 years ago today: Curved Air - Easy   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Temptations - (I Know) I'm Losing You   My song pick 4 years ago today: Neil Young - Heart of Gold My song pick 5 years ago today: April Wine - 21st Century Schizoid Man My song pick 6 years ago today: Mr. Big - T...

From: Unmistakably Lou ; Year: 1977; Genre: Soul/R&B/Disco I grew up listening to a lot of Lou Rawls, so, every time I hear that unmistakable velvety baritone that is his voice it gives me a happy and welcoming feeling. I've always wished I could sing even a modicum like him, but alas there is only one Lou Rawls. Anyway, this track is one of his hits from the late '70s, which has a lot of musical elements that are that era's zeitgeists, except for especially his timeless vocals.   Hear See You When I Git There on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Barenaked Ladies - Internal Dynamo   My song pick 2 years ago today: Herbie Hancock - Vein Melter   My song pick 3 years ago today: Steve Vai - The Blood & Tears   My song pick 4 years ago today: Melvins - Don't Forget to Breathe My song pick 5 years ago today: Simple Minds - Sanctify Yourself My song pick 6 years ago today: Bob Dylan - If Not For You My song pick 7 years ago today...

From: All Things In Time ; Year: 1976; Genre: Jazz/Soul/R&B I have been having Lou Rawls' music on the brain for the last little bit and really wanted to add another one of his song to my list. As with a goodly amount of "'80's kids" I was introduced to his powerful and velvety vocals through the Garfield Specials where he sung the theme songs, did duets with Desirée Goyette , and, of course, provided Garfield's singing voice. Because of this it was real easy to become a fan of him and his work, although it's still quite difficult to hear a recording of his without envisioning Garfield singing the song.   Hear Groovy People on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Marillion - Dry Land   My song pick 2 years ago today: Ray Davies - The Getaway   My song pick 3 years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Keep On Chooglin' My song pick 4 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - Luther the Anthropoid (Ape Man) My song pick 5 ...

From: Here Comes Garfield (Soundtrack) ; Year: 1982; Genre: Funk/Jazz I was watching a bunch of old Garfield cartoons, including this one, and this rather funky song kept kept getting stuck in my mind; I thought it would make a great Funky Friday pick. For those who grew up in the 1980s Garfield was one of the most loved cartoon characters and this was part of the soundtrack from his first animated picture. The entire soundtrack was written by the incomparable Ed Bogas and sung by both legendary singer Lou Rawls and Desirée Goyette. This is one of the highlights to feature Lou Rawls' amazing vocals and is a very funky and fun song to listen to. Hear Long 'Bout Midnight on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud to Beg My song pick two years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Roll On Down the Highway My song pick three years ago today: Pallas - Ark of Infinity My song pick four years ago today: Herb Alpert & th...