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

From: Folk Songs of the Hills ; Year:1947; Genre: Folk/Blues I'm not sure how many times this song has been covered, but it's been more than I am willing to count. Sixteen Tons was first recorded by and has always been credited to Merle Travis even though others have claimed authorship apparently. Tennessee Ernie Ford's version is, without a doubt, the de-facto version most would recall, the Merle Travis original that was a blend of Appalachian Folk, Blues, and Jazz is still one of the best.   Hear Sixteen Tons on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Lou Rawls - Season of the Witch     My song pick 2 years ago today: Ultravox - Someone Else's Clothes   My song pick 3 years ago today: Christopher Cross - Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Asia - True Colors   My song pick 5 years ago today: Elton John - Ego My song pick 6 years ago today: George Duke - Funny Funk   My song pick 7 ye...

From: The Atkins-Travis Traveling Show ; Year: 1974; Genre: Country I'm having Chet Atkins' music on my mind today, so I'm picking another one of his songs; this one features the incomparable Merle Travis as well. On this recording of the song you hear the guitars playing the tune with both Chet and Merle talking about their influences.   Hear Nine Pound Hammer on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Blondie - One Way or Another   My song pick 2 years ago today: Faith No More - The Real Thing My song pick 3 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Doctor To My Disease My song pick 4 years ago today: Dire Straits - Private Investigations My song pick 5 years ago today: Deep Purple - Hallelujah My song pick 6 years ago today: The Rhythm Machine - Put a Smile on Time My song pick 7 years ago today: Dream Theater - Pull Me Under My song pick 8 years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Another One Rides the Bus My song pick 9 years ago today: Genesis - Th...

From: The Atkins-Travis Traveling Show ; Year: 1974; Genre: Jazz This is a rather pretty and intricate waltz with amazing guitar picking; I just wish it was at least twice as long.... Hear Dance of the Golden Rod on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Gary Numan - Cars My song pick two years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - 7 Screaming Diz-Busters My song pick three years ago today: John Denver - Wooden Indian My song pick four years ago today: Barenaked Ladies - One Week My song pick five years ago today: Paul Abraham Dukas - The Sorcerer's Apprentice My song pick six years ago today: Jigsaw - Jesu, the Joy of Man's Desiring My song pick seven years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Second Hand My song pick eight years ago today: Glenn Miller - Moonlight Serenade

From: The Atkins - Travis Traveling Show ; Year: 1974; Genre: Gypsy Jazz/Country I had another song in mind to pick today, but this rather beautiful song kept my mind occupied, so (as I normally do), I am taking it as a sign I should pick it. Wow, this song certainly does stir up the memories and emotions; my grandfather used to play this song a lot, I mean A LOT over the years. He was so good at playing this one and much of Chet Atkins' catalogue most couldn't tell if it was him playing or the record. Anyway, this is a great cover of the often-recorded jazz standard originally written in the mid-1920s by Isham Jones and Gus Khan. Hear I'll See You In My Dreams on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - O.D.'d on Life Itself My song pick two years ago today: Hawkwind - We Took the Wrong Step Years Ago My song pick three years ago today: Oomph! - Das Weiße Licht My song pick four years ago today: Trio of Doom - Dark Prince ...