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

From: At Home ; Year: 1969; Genre: Psychedelic Rock I have always been of the opinion that Shocking Blue is one of those bands that, as the late-great comedian  Rodney Dangerfield was so fond of saying: "They Don't Get No Respect." Just a band that you can tell is boiling over with musical talent and ideas that while did get famous, for wotever reason, they never got up to where they should've been. This one is a great example: a great low fidelity piece of bluesy psychedelia with some very experimental sounds, mostly Robby Van Leeuwen's guitar playing and his playing of the sitar, which is quite a difficult instrument to play even at a novice level. Of course, Mariska Veres' vocals and presence on the vocals are one of the best qualities of the band.    Hear Love Buzz on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Curious Ruminant     My song pick 2 years ago today: 3 Doors Down - Loser   My song pick 3 years ago to...

From: 3rd Album (Bonus Track); Year: 1971; Genre: Blues Rock Had Shocking Blue on the 'ol brain today, so thought I would choose another one. Apparently Roll Engine Roll was originally a b-side to the single Never Marry a Railroad Man , but was eventually added to their 3rd Album when it was later re-released. As she was known for, Mariska Veres' powerful vocals are the centrepiece of band; it adds a lot of flair to the garage-rock sounding 12-bar blues track.   Hear Roll Engine Roll on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Pat Benatar - My Clone Sleeps Alone   My song pick 2 years ago today: The B-52's - Love Shack   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bootsy's Rubber Band - The Pinocchio Theory   My song pick 4 years ago today: Ugly Kid Joe - Come Tomorrow   My song pick 5 years ago today: Blackmore's Night - Play Minstrel Play   My song pick 6 years ago today: Cheap Trick - I Want You To Want Me My song pick 7 years ago today...

From: At Home ; Year: 1969; Genre: Pop/Rock Ugh, I'm really not feeling like picking a song this evening, but I'll go ahead and do it anyway. At some point during the day I heard this song, which I believe was the biggest hit from the Dutch group Shocking Blue, and thought it would make an excellent pick. Hear Venus on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rush - Countdown My song pick two years ago today: Mungo Jerry - In the Summertime My song pick three years ago today: The Kinks - A Well Respected Man My song pick four years ago today: Eric Clapton - Bad Love +

1688 Shocking Blue - Never Marry a Railroad Man From: 3rd Album , Year: 1971 Genre: Rock I heard this song again yesterday and thought it would make an excellent choice for today. The Shocking Blue is known mostly for their hit song Venus ; this was another one of their hits, it's just not as popular. I love their use of the nylon stringed guitar played in a flamencoesque style; it adds an amazing contrast dynamically to the heavier rock sound. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Hawkwind - Mirror of Illusion My song pick two years ago today: Louis Armstrong and his Hot Seven - Melancholy Blues My song pick three years ago today: Lynyrd Skynyrd - That Smell My song pick four years ago today: Pink Floyd - Brain Damage/Eclipse +