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

From: Okeh - 8474 ; Year: 1927; Genre: New Orleans Jazz Whenever I play any of Pops' music, even those with "Blues" in the title, after the first bar of music the last thing I feel is "Blue" anymore. Maybe that's the point, but there was something special about Satchmo; it was like it was his reason for being was to make the world a much more beautiful and wonderful place to live.    Hear Wild Man Blues on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Stanley Clarke - Dayride     My song pick 2 years ago today: Curved Air - Piece of Mind   My song pick 3 years ago today: Dire Straits - Hand in Hand   My song pick 4 years ago today: Stone Temple Pilots - Sex Type Thing   My song pick 5 years ago today: Culture Club - Do You Really Want To Hurt Me   My song pick 6 years ago today: Caramba - Hubba Hubba Zoot Zoot My song pick 7 years ago today: Big Star - In The Street My song pick 8 years ago today: Bowling for Soup - 198...

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: Louis Armstrong and His Friends ; Year: 1970; Genre: Soft Rock/Pop/Jazz Was enjoying some of Pops' later work, this album really resonated with me today for some reason. It's amazing to think that not long after recording it the world would be deprived of the music of the master; apparently he was ill at the time he was in the studio, but he was still able to belt out his beautiful voice despite it. This is, of course, Satchmo's rendition of the song originally written and recorded by Fred Neil and made famous by Harry Nilsson , of which Nilsson's version was used in the soundtrack for the film Midnight Cowboy . I positively love Louis Armstrong's take on it, it's just marvelous to the ears; but in all honesty he could've probably sung just about anything and make it dang good sounding.   Hear Everybody's Talkin' (Echoes) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way   My song pick 2 years ago today...

From: Christmas Through the Years ; Year: 1996 (1951); Genre: Christmas Music/Pop/Jazz Here's another legendary artist that I, personally could not go through this season without listening to. Pops' upbeat and purely joyful, cool style is absolutely perfect for this time of year; this is one of his that I like to hear around Christmas every year.   Hear Baby It's Cold Outside on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Primus - Hail Santa   My song pick 2 years ago today: Soundgarden - Head Down   My song pick 3 years ago today: Dave Edmunds - Almost Saturday Night   My song pick 4 years ago today: Paul Revere & The Raiders - Just Like Me My song pick 5 years ago today: Soundgarden - Burden in My Hand My song pick 6 years ago today: Wild Turkey - Good Old Days My song pick 7 years ago today: Stuart Hamm - Terminal Beach My song pick 8 years ago today: James Brown - Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto My song pick 9 years ago to...

From: Louis Armstrong meets Oscar Peterson ; Year: 1957; Genre: Swing Jazz After watching another documentary on the landmark musical legend Louis Armstrong I decided to delve back into the stratospheric mountain of music he performed and came upon his and Oscar Peterson and his band's rendition of this jazz standard. I remember hearing the lyrics from the piece many times over the years, mostly on the classic Warner Brothers Merry Melodies animated short films. Even if you do not recognize the song by its title, chances are you'll recognize some of the phrases and lyrics within that've been used over the 80 years since its writing in media and pop culture. Anyway, on this song, as well as the entire album, "Satchmo" really fits in well with Oscar Peterson's band singing and playing his signature horn; they are all a great well-oiled musical dynamo across the board.   Hear Blues in the Night (My Mama Done Tol' Me) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ag...

From: Satchmo Serenades ; Year: 1952; Genre: Swing Jazz/Big Band Jazz Happy New Year to all and anyone who happens to visit my Song a Day blog! I had Louis Armstrong come to mind today whilst thinking about the song to start my new year off, and what a great track and performer to start it with. This is one of my favourites from this record and features Satchmo's horn playing and distinct vocals that all enjoy so much.   Hear I Can't Afford To Miss This Dream on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Parliament - Bop Gun (Endangered Species)   My song pick 2 years ago today: Peter Gabriel - A Wonderful Day In A One-Way World   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year My song pick 4 years ago today: The Eagles - Funky New Year My song pick 5 years ago today: Steely Dan - Midnight Cruiser My song pick 6 years ago today: James Brown - Get Up Offa That Thing/Release the Pressure My song pick 7 years ago today: Primus...

From: Louis And The Angels ; Year: 1957; Genre: Jazz I don't think it's possible really to not be smiling when you hear Louis Armstrong sing or play his horn.     Hear Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Funkadelic - Good to Your Earhole   My song pick 2 years ago today: Harlequin - Turn Around My song pick 3 years ago today: Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe - Fist of Fire My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Rhythm In Gold My song pick 5 years ago today: The Eagles - Already Gone My song pick 6 years ago today: Cameo - Back and Forth My song pick 7 years ago today: Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me a Tale My song pick 8 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Monkey Man My song pick 9 years ago today: Boston - Peace of Mind My song pick 10 years ago today: Weezer - Buddy Holly My song pick 11 years ago today: Rammstein - Ich Will My song pick 12 years ago today: Lynyrd Skynyrd ...

From: The Best of Louis Armstrong & Friends: The Christmas Collection ; Year: 2003 (1953); Genre: Jazz/Christmas Music Merry Christmas all! Can't go wrong with some Satchmo on Christmas Day; more than a perfect pick. Hear Cool Yule on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - This Christmas Day My song pick 2 years ago today: Bob Rivers - Joy to the World My song pick 3 years ago today: The Jive Turkeys - Get Down Santa My song pick 4 years ago today: John Lennon & Yoko Ono and The Plastic Ono Band - Happy X-Mas (War Is Over) My song pick 5 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Midnight Clear My song pick 6 years ago today: Jethro Tull - A Winter Snowscape My song pick 7 years ago today: Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas My song pick 8 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Gaudete My song pick 9 years ago today: Ian Anderson - A Birthday Card At Christmas My song pick 10 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Another Christmas...

From: Timeless Historical Presents Fletcher Henderson and Louis Armstrong 1924-1925 ; Year: 1924/25; Genre: New Orleans Jazz/Dixieland Back some six years ago or so I was really wanting to pick this song, but could never find it on YouTube or another streaming service, so I just made a note of it in my queue of unpicked songs and checked every now and then for it, but eventually gave up. Today, on a lark I decided to check, and sure enough, not only was it there, but from an official source too. It's amazing how much things have changed with music and YouTube since I first started this blog over nine years ago. Because companies and artists would take down and go after people the choices I could make back then were very restricted, but now... it's really night and day difference. Anyway, this is one of those feel good pieces of jazz you'd expect to hear playing behind an old silent film or during a Vaudeville act. Of course hearing Pops in his earlier years is a treat...

From: What a Wonderful Christmas ; Year: 1997 (1950s); Genre: Jazz/Christmas Music Here's one that everyone should play this time of year or anytime you're feeling down and pining for the Holidays. Really though, how do you make a legendary Irving Berlin hit even better; yep, have Mr. Louis Armstrong lend his voice to it, and boy does he ever do this song great. Not bagging on any other legendary vocalist whose done the song, but I'm admittedly quite partial to Pops and his unmistakable voice and music. Hear Pops' incredible version of White Christmas on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Bob Rivers & Twisted Radio - Jingle Hells Bells My song pick two years ago today: Stanley Clarke, George Duke, and Everette Harp - O Tannenbaum My song pick three years ago today: Louis Armstrong - Christmas Night in Harlem My song pick four years ago today: The Beatles - Please Please Me My song pick five years ago today: John Denver - Please Daddy (Don...

From: What a Wonderful Christmas ; Year: 1997, (1952); Genre: Jazz/Christmas Music Nothing gets me in a good mood for the Christmas Season than hearing Pops play some great Holiday music. This is a great jazz rendition of the Christmas classic in that unique Satchmo style. Hear Winter Wonderland on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Joe Cocker - With a Little Help From My Friends My song pick two years ago today: Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - The Little Drummer Boy My song pick three years ago today: The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man My song pick four years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Siberian Sleigh Ride My song pick five years ago today: Twisted Sister - Oh Come All Ye Faithful My song pick six years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Joy/Angels We Have Heard on High My song pick seven years ago today: The Kinks - Father Christmas My song pick eight years ago today: Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick

From: The Essential Louis Armstrong ; Year: 1979 (1926); Genre: Now Orleans Jazz I was in the mood for some Louis Armstrong today; this is one of his most popular tracks with his Hot Seven. Hear Heebie Jeebies on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Van Halen - Dance the Night Away My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - The Whistler My song pick three years ago today: Maurice Ravel - M.19 - Pavane for a Dead Princess My song pick four years ago today: Black Label Society - Stillborn My song pick five years ago today: Lynyrd Skynyrd - I Never Dreamed My song pick six years ago today: Duran Duran - New Moon On Monday

From: What a Wonderful Christmas ; Year: 1997 (1955) ; Genre: Christmas/Jazz Having a very busy day, so I'm making a quick pick; this is among my favourites to listen to this time of year. Hear Christmas Night in Harlem on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Beatles - Please Please Me My song pick two years ago today: John Denver - Please Daddy (Don't Get Drunk This Christmas) My song pick three years ago today: Mykola Leontovych - Shchedryk (The Carol of the Bells) My song pick four years ago today: Steeleye Span - Edwin My song pick five years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra/Savatage - Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 My song pick six years ago today: Jethro Tull - Ring Out Solstice Bells

From: What a Wonderful World (Single); Year: 1967; Genre: Jazz/Pop I woke up this morning to Louis Armstrong's music running through my mind; can't think of better music to be earwormed by. This has to be one of his best-known songs and in my opinion, exemplifies his spirit as someone who saw just how beautiful the world could be and tried to make it as such. When I'm getting stressed or down I often put on some of Pops' music; it doesn't really matter which song; it's all good mood music to me. Hear What a Wonderful World on YouTube. Watch a live video clip on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Chet Atkins - Battle Hymn of the Republic My song pick two years ago today: Bob Dylan - Maggie's Farm My song pick three years ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Life by the Drop My song pick four years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Down on the Corner My song pick five years ago today: Iron Maiden - 2 ...

From: When the Saints Go Marching I n; Year: 2009 (1939); Genre: Jazz I had some other songs in mind for today's pick, but I happened to notice that Louis Armstrong had a famous hit recording of this traditional hymn in 1939, which is today's pick number. After seeing that I couldn't help but make it my choice today. This is a pretty popular version; most people today should know or at least have heard Louie Armstrong's version of the song. Even though it had been in existence for many years before, in my mind and probably many others' as well have a tendency to associate this track with him. Hear a recording of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: John Denver - Farewell Andromeda (Welcome To My Morning) My song pick two years ago today: Del Shannon - Runaway My song pick three years ago today: Steely Dan - Black Friday My song pick four years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - I Just Want You My song pick five years ago today: Quiet Rio...

From: The Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need ; Year: 1999 (1932); Genre: Jazz I'm choosing another where my pick number coincides with the date when a song was released. This jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington with lyrics by Irving Mills was one of the songs to dominate the charts in the year 1932. While it's not technically "Swing Jazz" it was one of, if not the first song to coin the term "Swing" and contains many of the elements that would create the jazz sub-genre that reined supreme throughout the mid 1930s-1940s. It has been recorded a multitude of times by many artists, but my favourite version by far is the one that features Louis Armstrong along with Duke Ellington. Hear It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) on YouTube. Hear a version of the song featuring the incomparable Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong on YouTube. - Does it really get any better? My song pick a year ago today: Jefferson Airplane ...

1588 Louis Armstrong - Christmas in New Orleans From: Christmas in New Orleans , Year: 1996 (1955) Genre: Jazz/Christmas Music Since we're in the home stretch before Christmas I figured I'd pick some appropriate music. It was only a few years ago that I started to listen to a lot of the Holiday music Louis Armstrong recorded; I cannot believe that I celebrated so many Christmases without his music playing. Anyway, this is one of my favourite Christmas songs in his catalogue. Hear Christmas in New Orleans on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Boston - A Man I'll Never Be My song pick two years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Blue Collar My song pick three years ago today: John Denver - Season Suite - Winter My song pick four years ago today: Band of Horses - The Funeral +

1387 Louis Armstrong - C'est si bon From: C'est si Bon , Year: 1991, (1950) I've had a plethora of Louis Armstrong's tunes stuck in my mind most of the morning; I couldn't think of a better musician to be "earwormed" by. This is Pops' awesome version of the song originally written by Henri Betti. Hear a studio recording on YouTube. Here is a live television performance circa '62 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Journeyman My song pick two years ago today: Kansas - The Pinnacle My song pick three years ago today: Rammstein - Asche Zu Asche +

1337 Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra - Alexander's Ragtime Band From: Heart Full Of Rhythm / Volume 2 (1936-38), Year: 1993 (1937) I've been having this song running through my mind off and on over the last couple of weeks. This song was written a hundred years ago in 1911 by Irving Berlin and, as with most of the music of that time, was covered many times by many artists. Though there are many excellent versions of this song, I'm very partial to Louis Armstrong's version from the mid-1930s. Hear a 78 rpm vinyl recording of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Tears For Fears - Break It Down Again My song pick two years ago today: Dream Theater - 6:00   My song pick three years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Street Fighting Man +