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

From: Dodgy Bastards ; Year: 2016; Genre: Folk Rock/Progressive Rock Been enjoying this record a lot lately; reminds me a lot of the classic material. This track is their rendition of the traditional Child Ballad Cruel Brother . As with many of these ballads catalogued by Child, this one is quite dark and tragic. I really like the way they arranged the music not only to be more driving and intense, but to really bring the emotions to the surface.   Hear Cruel Brother on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Herb Alpert - Aranjuez (Mon Amour)     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Pointer Sisters - Going Down Slowly   My song pick 3 years ago today: Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me   My song pick 4 years ago today: Steeleye Span - The Lark in the Morning   My song pick 5 years ago today: Black 47 - Red Hugh   My song pick 6 years ago today: Stray Cats - Stray Cat Strut My song pick 7 years ago today: The Steve Miller...

From: Bedlam Born ; Year: 2000; Genre: Hard Rock/Folk Rock I say, if someone just started to play this song and entire album for that matter, it would take me a bit to guess it was Steeleye Span's. Not entirely far from how they have sounded on some previous and subsequent recordings, at times on this one they sound more garage rock that British folk rock. The backing vocals and fiddle solo are the only main giveaways for me personally. Whilst apparently having a spate of records that core fans did not approve of, I actually like hearing the band expanding and experimenting.   Hear Well Done Liar! on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Marvelettes - The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Cult - Spiritwalker   My song pick 3 years ago today: Boyz II Men - Motownphilly   My song pick 4 years ago today: Yes - Then   My song pick 5 years ago today: Brave Belt - Goodbye, Soul Shy   My song pick 6...

From: Wintersmith ; Year: 2013; Genre: Progressive Rock/Folk Rock Out of their more recent offerings I still keep coming back to the concept album based on Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld Series: Wintersmith . I don't know wot it is exactly, but the music, feeling, subject matter, production and so on, just seems to just "click" with me. This track that serves as a theme of sorts for the Nac Mac Feegle , aka "The Wee Free Men," which are a fairy folk in the vain of Brownies from Scots Folklore.   Hear The Wee Free Men on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Icehouse - Trojan Blue   My song pick 2 years ago today: Miles Davis - Paraphernalia   My song pick 3 years ago today: Utopia - Set Me Free   My song pick 4 years ago today: Nick Gilder - Rated X   My song pick 5 years ago today: Rush - Second Nature My song pick 6 years ago today: Diana Ross & The Supremes - Someday We'll be Together My song pick 7 years ago today: Megadet...

From: Bloody Men ; Year: 2006; Genre: Folk Rock/Hard Rock Here is a rather raucous song peppered with a lot of innuendo , or rather it is not about wot you think it's about, or mayhap you do.... Whatever the case, it's a great song all around, especially Maddy Prior's vocal work.   Hear The Bonny Black Hare on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Cheap Trick - Reach Out   My song pick 2 years ago today: Soundgarden - New Damage   My song pick 3 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Divine Wind   My song pick 4 years ago today: Funkadelic - Butt to Buttresusitation   My song pick 5 years ago today: Bruce Hornsby - Halcyon Days My song pick 6 years ago today: The Coasters - Smoky Joe's Cafe My song pick 7 years ago today: Quincy Jones - Killer Joe My song pick 8 years ago today: Blues Image - Lazy Day Blues My song pick 9 years ago today: Pendragon - The Pleasure of Hope My song pick 10 years ago today: Larry Graham and Gra...

From: Est'd 1969 ; Year: 2019; Genre: Folk Rock/Progressive Rock I have to say, these more recent albums from Steeleye Span are some of their better mixed and produced material; every note, timbre and nuance can be clearly heard. Old Matron starts with more of a traditional folk style after the song comes around more instruments with a heavier rock quality. From beginning to end it really has a deceptive "free-form jam" feel like what you'd hear played in a pub or festival, but it is quite intricate. I really like how the flute, bass and drums follow one another in that neat line together.   Hear Old Matron on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Rose Royce - Funk Factory   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Vaughan Brothers - Brothers   My song pick 3 years ago today: Dobie Gray - The 'In' Crowd   My song pick 4 years ago today: Ozric Tentacles - Dissolution (The Clouds Disperse)   My song pick 5 years ago today: Bob Dylan -...

From: Storm Force Ten ; Year: 1977; Genre: Folk Rock/Progressive Rock Thought I'd already chosen this one, apparently not, time to remedy that oversight. Even though some dislike it, I cannot help but love the songs from Storm Force Ten and Awake, Awake is the magnificent and beautiful opening track. The record is somewhat different fare in that they did not have a fiddle player in the band at this point and instead employed prolific aerophonist John Kirkpatrick to play the accordion and to lend vocals. One of the best or many aspects of this song that some are probably unaware of is that the lyrics are derived from King Solomon's poetry from The Song of Songs , which makes for an amazing and vivid love story told in the lyrics. It is definitely one of my favourites from one of my favourite bands.   Hear Awake, Awake on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Zakk Wylde - Throwin' It All Away   My song pick 2 years ago today: The (Detroit) Spinners - ...

From: Commoners Crown ; Year: 1975; Genre: Classical/Progressive Rock/Folk Rock As the title of the song would suggest, this is a mix of Bachian style and traditional Irish Celtic folk style with a good helping of rock on the side. I believe this is also the only track on the album that was penned by the band and not based on a traditional piece.   Hear Bach Goes To Limerick on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Funk Factory - Rien Ne Va Plus   My song pick 2 years ago today: Fleetwood Mac - Isn't It Midnight   My song pick 3 years ago today: Primus - Mr. Krinkle My song pick 4 years ago today: Queen - Friends Will Be Friends My song pick 5 years ago today: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - K. 361/370a - Serenade no. 10 for winds in B-flat major, "Gran Partita" My song pick 6 years ago today: Pat Benatar - You Better Run My song pick 7 years ago today: Soundgarden - The Day I Tried to Live My song pick 8 years ago today: Rush - Halo Effect ...

From: Winter ; Year: 2004; Genre: Progressive Rock/Folk Rock/Christmas Music Here's a great Christmas piece from Steeleye Span's 2004 release Winter . As per usual, all the members of the group do a bang-up job on this one in their signature progressive folk rock sound. This is one that should be on anyone's seasonal playlist; it fits in quite well with most contemporary Christmas music as well as the venerable standards you hear this time of year.   Hear Today in Bethlehem on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Van der Graaf Generator - La Rossa   My song pick 2 years ago today: Binky Griptite - Stone Soul Christmas   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bachman & Turner - Find Some Love My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Another Harry's Bar My song pick 5 years ago today: Ronnie James Dio/Tony Iommi/Rudy Sarzo/Simon Wright - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen My song pick 6 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Holly Herald My song pick 7 ...

From: Please to see the King ; Year: 1971; Genre: Folk Rock/Folk/Progressive Rock Here's another folk rock version of a tradition song from Steeleye Span. This is just a beautiful piece all around, both the music and the vocals are excellent.   Hear The Lark in the Morning on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Black 47 - Red Hugh   My song pick 2 years ago today: Stray Cats - Stray Cat Strut My song pick 3 years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Give It Up My song pick 4 years ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - It's The Engine In Me My song pick 5 years ago today: Foghat - Slow Ride My song pick 6 years ago today: Savatage - Beyond the Doors of the Dark My song pick 7 years ago today: Harlequin - Superstitious Feeling My song pick 8 years ago today: Les Paul - Hip-Billy Boogie My song pick 9 years ago today: The Byrds - Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There Is a Season) My song pick 10 years ago today: Muse -...

From: Parcel of Rogues ; Year: 1973; Genre: Folk Rock/Progressive Rock I randomly decided on some Steeleye Span for today's pick. This more raucous version of the traditional Scots folk tune has a very moody and tense feel to it, mostly due to the subject matter of the Jacobite Rebellion and such. Maddy Prior did an incredible delivery of the vocals showing off her ability to shift pitches flawlessly.   Hear Cam Ye O'er Frae France on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Hawkwind - The Road To...   My song pick 2 years ago today: Lacy J. Dalton - 16th Avenue My song pick 3 years ago today: Rush - Something for Nothing My song pick 4 years ago today: Gary Davis - Gotta Get Your Love My song pick 5 years ago today: Hall & Oats - Maneater My song pick 6 years ago today: Gerry Rafferty - Mattie's Rag My song pick 7 years ago today: Triumph - Battle Cry My song pick 8 years ago today: Porcupine Tree - On the Sunday Of Life My song pick 9 ...

From: Est'd 1969 ; Year: 2019; Genre: Folk Rock/Progressive Rock Was thinking about Steeleye Span today and thought I'd pick another one.  This is a mellower track with a lot of deep and beautiful music throughout; I especially love the violin solo, it's rather pretty.   Hear Roadways on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Helloween - Pumpkins United     My song pick 2 years ago today: Porcupine Tree - Hatesong My song pick 3 years ago today: Funkadelic - Phunklords My song pick 4 years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - When Time Stood Still My song pick 5 years ago today: Soundgarden - Loud Love My song pick 6 years ago today: Joachim Witt - Das Jüngste Gericht My song pick 7 years ago today: Carmen - The Gypsies My song pick 8 years ago today: Rosanne Cash - Seven Year Ache My song pick 9 years ago today: R.E.M. - The One I Love My song pick 10 years ago today: Lynyrd Skynyrd - Tuesday's Gone My song pick 11 ...

From: Wintersmith ; Year: 2013; Genre: Folk Rock/Progressive Rock Wintersmith has slowly become one of my favourite Steeleye Span albums; my favourite from the last 25 or so years of their music at least. This aptly titled song for the current season has a very upbeat feel and sound to it. Hear Summer Lady on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Bobby Freeman - Do You Want To Dance? My song pick 2 years ago today: Sly and the Family Stone - If This Room Could Talk My song pick 3 years ago today: Rush - Grand Designs My song pick 4 years ago today: The Trammps - Rubber Band My song pick 5 years ago today: Johannes Tapissler - Credo My song pick 6 years ago today: The Isley Brothers - It's Your Thing My song pick 7 years ago today: Bass Extremes - Portrait of Tracy My song pick 8 years ago today: ZZ Top - La Grange My song pick 9 years ago today: Rammstein - Seemann My song pick 10 years ago today: Jon Bon Jovi - Blaze of Glory My song pick 11 ye...

From: Est'd 1969 ; Year: 2019; Genre: Folk Rock I've had Maddy Prior's vocals on my mind most of the day thus far; I thought I'd pick one from Steeleye Span's most recent album. This one has a nice mix between Folk Rock and Progressive Rock, which works quite well I have to say. Hear Harvest on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Fat Larry's Band - Act Like You Know My song pick 2 years ago today: Laura Branigan - Deep in the Dark My song pick 3 years ago today: Bay City Rollers - I Only Want to Be With You My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - One Brown Mouse My song pick 5 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - It's Over My song pick 6 years ago today: Petula Clark - Kiss Me Goodbye My song pick 7 years ago today: The Walter Murphy Band - Toccata and Funk in D Minor My song pick 8 years ago today: Eddie Rabbitt - I Love a Rainy Night My song pick 9 years ago today: Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out My son...

From: Rocket Cottage ; Year: 1976; Genre: Folk Rock This is the band's take on the traditional song Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye with of course their own modifications and style. Basically the song consists of singing over the top of a drum beat, which actually ends up working pretty good. Hear Fighting for Strangers on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Dire Straits - Romeo & Juliet My song pick 2 years ago today: James Brown - I Got You (I Feel Good) My song pick 3 years ago today: King Crimson - Dinosaur My song pick 4 years ago today: Molly Hatchet - Both Sides My song pick 5 years ago today: Egg - I Will Be Absorbed My song pick 6 years ago today: Megadeth - Into the Lungs of Hell My song pick 7 years ago today: Soundgarden - Bones of Birds My song pick 8 years ago today: Nightwish - Know Why the Nightingale Sings My song pick 9 years ago today: Stuart Hamm - Black Ice My song pick 10 years ago today: Waylander - Brú Na Bóinne My song pic...

From: Now We Are Six ; Year: 1974; Genre: Folk Rock/Progressive Rock Had an incline to listen to and pick another song from Steeleye Span today. Being that it's kind of a big and busy day, this more laid-back sounding track just seemed perfect. Hear Long-a-Growing on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Neil Young - Old Man My song pick 2 years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Ma-Ma-Ma Belle My song pick 3 years ago today: Bon Jovi - Hey God My song pick 4 years ago today: Parliament - Let's Play House My song pick 5 years ago today: Rare Earth - Warm Ride My song pick 6 years ago today: Pallas - Warriors My song pick 7 years ago today: Soundgarden - Flower My song pick 8 years ago today: Northern Kings - Wanted Dead or Alive My song pick 9 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Bungle in the Jungle My song pick 10 years ago today: Edvard Grieg - Op. 54, No.3 - The March of the Trolls ( Troldtog ) My song pick 11 years ago today: Rob Zo...

From: Wintersmith ; Year: 2013; Genre: Folk Rock/Progressive Rock Been going over Steeleye Span's Wintersmith album once again and, of course, am picking one from it. Fire & Ice has a nice heaviness and lighter sounds and feeling; it's one of my favourites off the record. Hear Fire & Ice on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Béla Fleck & The Flecktones - Weed Whacker My song pick 2 years ago today: Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band- The Fire Down Below My song pick 3 years ago today: Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) My song pick 4 years ago today: Judas Priest - You Got Another Thing Commin' My song pick 5 years ago today: Van Halen - Right Now My song pick 6 years ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - Tell Me What It Is My song pick 7 years ago today: Rush - Mr. Soul My song pick 8 years ago today: Megadeth - How the Story Ends My song pick 9 years ago today: Sethian - Epitaph My song pick...

From: Rocket Cottage ; Year: 1976; Genre: Progressive Rock/Folk Rock/Hard Rock As with most of this album, most of the music is a little harder than their normal fair. This, their rendition of Sir James the Rose can get a wee bit raucous during the choruses, but I love that rhythm section; a very good song. Hear Sir James the Rose on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - My Friends My song pick 2 years ago today: Hot Butter - Telstar My song pick 3 years ago today: Nazareth - Hair of the Dog My song pick 4 years ago today: The Allman Brothers Band - Pony Boy My song pick 5 years ago today: The Alan Parsons Project - Games People Play My song pick 6 years ago today: Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4 My song pick 7 years ago today: Rush - A Farewell to Kings My song pick 8 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Robbery With Violins My song pick 9 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Dark Ages My song pick 10 years ago today: The Blind Boys of Alabama - Am...

From: Wintersmith ; Year: 2013; Genre: Progressive Rock/Folk Rock Had a lot of songs in mind to pick... too many good ones as well. We Shall Wear Midnight is one that just, for some reason, fit my mood and attitude today the best out of them. I love the soft delivery of heavy subject matter in it; a good song for "those" days I guess. Hear We Shall Wear Midnight on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Led Zeppelin - Over the Hills and Far Away My song pick 2 years ago today: Queen - Another One Bites the Dust My song pick 3 years ago today: U.K. - In the Dead of the Night My song pick 4 years ago today: Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop My song pick 5 years ago today: Funkadelic - Cholly (Funk Getting Ready To Roll) My song pick 6 years ago today: Scott Joplin - Maple Leaf Rag My song pick 7 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Play In Time My song pick 8 years ago today: Exile - Kiss You All Over My song pick 9 years ago today: Rush - Show Don't...

From: Dodgy Bastards ; Year: 2016; Genre: Folk Rock/Hard Rock I was having a fun time with Steeleye Span's newest album and wanted to pick this hard-edged instrumental of the album's namesake. This one really gets you revved up and the blood moving. Hear Dodgy Bastards on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Nirvana - Blew My song pick two years ago today: Faith No More - I Started A Joke My song pick three years ago today: Bobby Lyle - Groove (Ain't No Doubt About It) My song pick four years ago today: Jethro Tull - Nursie My song pick five years ago today: Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb My song pick six years ago today: Steeleye Span - Sligo Maid My song pick seven years ago today: Eddie Money - Gimme Me Some Water   My song pick eight years ago today: Steeleye Span - All Around My Hat My song pick nine years ago today: .38 Special - Fade To Blue My song pick ten years ago today: Jethro Tull - Beltane

From: Dodgy Bastards ; Year: 2016; Genre: Folk Rock/Hard Rock Back in the mood again for some more Steeleye Span. I will say that their more recent albums have become personal favourites of mine; in my opinion the band is as good as ever. This medley off their newest album really exemplifies the band's differing and complimenting musical styles. Hear The Lofty Tall Ship/Shallow Brown on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Powerwolf - Sanctus Dominus My song pick two years ago today: Simple Minds - Alive and Kicking My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - Love Story My song pick four years ago today: Primus - My Name is Mud My song pick five years ago today: Styx - Mr. Roboto My song pick six years ago today: Carmen - High Time My song pick seven years ago today: Stahlhammer - Strom Der Zeit My song pick eight years ago today: Ally Kerr - The Sore Feet Song My song pick nine years ago today: Johnny Cash - Solitary Man My song pick ten...