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

From: The Joker ; Year: 1973; Genre: Blues Rock/Funk Rock After having Steve Miller Band's music on my mind I delved  through wot I've already chosen... dang, that is a lot. The Joker is always one of my "go to" of his records and is really that bridge between his more grassroots blues rock and his more mainstream and commercially successful brand. I would have to put Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma as one with aspects of both past and future versions of his sound. Although, that funky beat and amazing bass line is to die for; dance floor approved!   Hear Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Downtown Trio - Summertime     My song pick 2 years ago today: Bob Welch - Sentimental Lady     My song pick 3 years ago today: Rare Earth - What'd I Say   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - In Brief Visitation   My song pick 5 years ago today: Geddy Lee - Slipping   My song pick 6 years ag...

From: Book of Dreams ; Year: 1977; Genre: Psychedelic Rock This is one of the deeper cuts off of one of Steve Miller's bigger hit records, which I've already chosen a great deal from. To my ear at least, it sounds like Wish Upon a Star was one that didn't get the polish/attention of its brethren, but you can hear a whole lot of potential there, plus despite this, it is a good track. If you like the band and his more synthesizer-driven bluesy psychedelia sound, then you are in for a treat.    Hear Wish Upon a Star on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Cher - Pirate     My song pick 2 years ago today: Rush - Available Light   My song pick 3 years ago today: The O'Jays - For the Love of Money   My song pick 4 years ago today: R.E.O. Speedwagon - Time For Me to Fly   My song pick 5 years ago today: Hammerfall - And Yet I Smile   My song pick 6 years ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - The Only Way (Hymn)   ...

From: Brave New World ; Year: 1969; Genre: Blues Rock/Psychedelic Rock Was just in the mood for something from Steve Miller and his band's earlier work. Brave New World is and probably will always be my favourite record from this period; the first five albums or there about to be exact. This was also the first after Boz Scaggs left, which is a minus in my opinion, but not enough for me. Even at this point Les Paul's advise to make his band his namesake was paying dividends; no matter who came or left it was always Steve Miller's band. Anyway, getting far off track here.... Space Cowboy is one of the three songs from the record that can occasionally get airplay, along with the title track and My Dark Hour , which featured Beatle Paul McCartney on backing vocals and a few instruments. Funny enough, five albums later on the song The Joker he references this track in the very first line of it. "Some people call me the Space Cowboy...." Which would turn out to be ...

From: Book of Dreams ; Year: 1977; Genre: Rock Here is another hit song from one of my most liked bands that I had yet to pick apparently. Swingtown is one those songs that is interesting to listen to and is near perfect for the dance floor, plus it is a track that can be played and go over well in mixed company. Kind of funny too, recently discovered that, according to Greg Leon, he and Randy Rhodes were messing around with the main riff to this track and thought it sounded awesome when sped up, which eventually became inspiration for the verse riff for the Ozzy Osbourne metal classic Crazy Train ; now that I know this I cannot "unhear" it....   Hear Swingtown on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Scorpions - Hit Between the Eyes   My song pick 2 years ago today: King Crimson - The Sheltering Sky   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bernard Wright - Just Chillin' Out   My song pick 4 years ago today: Alice In Chains - Never Fade   My ...

From: Abracadabra ; Year: 1982; Genre: New Wave/Rock This is another album that I can barely remember its release; I was still a bit young to completely recollect, but in the house I grew up in music was seemingly played most of the time, including this one. Later on as a teenager I purchased the record; whilst this song was not among the hit singles from it, it was one that became an instant favourite of mine.   Hear Young Girl's Heart on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Toto - 99   My song pick 2 years ago today: Lou Reed - Men of Good Fortune   My song pick 3 years ago today: Victor Wooten - Joe's Journey   My song pick 4 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Fighting for Strangers   My song pick 5 years ago today: Dire Straits - Romeo & Juliet My song pick 6 years ago today: James Brown - I Got You (I Feel Good) My song pick 7 years ago today: King Crimson - Dinosaur My song pick 8 years ago today: Molly Hatchet - Both Sid...

From: Book of Dreams ; Year: 1977; Genre: Blues Rock Got a lot of work and errands run yesterday, which tuckered me out something fierce. When I finally got a chance to rest and take a breather I had this very bluesy rock pop into my brain. Back when I listened to radio stations this was one of about half of the tracks off of Book of Dreams that I believe got quite a lot of airplay. The Stake was written by David Denny, who is an on and off member of The Steve Miller Band and is also known for being a member of Frumious Bandersnatch and Six Degrees of Freedom amongst others. Some great guitar throughout this one; if you like bluesier songs this one is right up your alley.   Hear The Stake on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom   My song pick 2 years ago today: Parliament - Presence of a Brain   My song pick 3 years ago today: Jethro Tull - The Clasp My song pick 4 years ago today: Stuart Hamm - Quahogs A...

From: Book of Dreams ; Year: 1977; Genre: Blues Rock Have not consciously heard this track for wot seems like a great span of time, but while working yesterday it just happened to pop into my mind; y'all know what that means.... This is a unique track in that Les Dudek and Curly Cooke wrote and played on the studio version; it also appears to be one with a different ensemble on the other instruments as well. Anyway, it fits in extremely well with the other songs on the record, which makes this one of the defining "Album Oriented Rock" records out there.   Hear Sacrifice on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: U2 - One   My song pick 2 years ago today: Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Who - I Can See For Miles   My song pick 4 years ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - Hair My song pick 5 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Magna of Illusion My song pick 6 years ago today: Ex Deo...

From: Fly Like An Eagle ; Year: 1976; Genre: Blues/Blues Rock I've had quite a few songs from this record in my mind off and on for about a month now; thought that I would go for another from it. This is one of the deeper cuts since I've already chosen most of the tracks off it already. The Fly Like An Eagle record has always been one of my favourites from Steve Miller and his band; it got played a lot over the years. With it being " album oriented rock " it usually just gets played through from beginning to end, even so, this is one of the songs that I never remember by title, but immediately recognize it after hearing the first few notes. Anyway, this one is more traditional blues in sound and feel throughout, so expect a lot of guitar and harmonica throughout it.   Hear Sweet Maree on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Stevie Wonder - My Cherie Amour   My song pick 2 years ago today: King Crimson - THRAK   My song pick 3 years ago today: St...

From: Circle of Love ; Year: 1981; Genre: Rock/Pop Some very beautiful playing in the extended guitar solo on this one, which is the underrated title-track from the band's 1981 album. While some people don't really like this record, (especially when compared to the albums that preceded it), I've always like it since first hearing it. Bought a used record of it for Heart Like a Wheel and Macho City , but ended up liking the other songs as well.   Hear Circle of Love on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Tesla - Heaven's Trail (No Way Out )   My song pick 2 years ago today: Ugly Kid Joe - Madman   My song pick 3 years ago today: Lakeside - Shine On (Lift Your Spirit Higher)   My song pick 4 years ago today: David Bowie - When the Wind Blows My song pick 5 years ago today: Rush - Bravado My song pick 6 years ago today: Paul Simon - Slip Slidin' Away My song pick 7 years ago today: Kiss - Strutter My song pick 8 years ago today: The ...

From: Recall the Beginning...a Journey From Eden ; Year: 1972; Genre: Rock Ever since I was young I've loved Steve Miller and co.'s music, but it wasn't until much later that I discovered the band's music prior to The Joker ; these earlier albums have become definite favourites of mine, this one in particular. This track is a bit "poppier" than most of his early hard rock/blues rock material, but has a lot of interesting aspects as well. From the call-and-response echo in the verses to the mix of acoustic guitar and the heavier rhythm really makes it quite unique.   Hear Nothing Lasts on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Box in my Head   My song pick 2 years ago today: King Harvest - A Little Bit Like Magic   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Temptations - My Girl My song pick 4 years ago today: Ozric Tentacles - Mysticum Arabicola My song pick 5 years ago today: Billy Idol - White Wedding My song pick 6 years ago t...

From: Recall the Beginning... A Journey From Eden ; Year: 1972; Genre: Rock I just love the dynamics of this song; the way it goes from acoustic guitar and vocals to the full-on blues rock that the band is known for and back again is pure magic in a sense.    Hear Fandango on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Born on the Bayou   My song pick 2 years ago today: April Wine - Caught in the Crossfire My song pick 3 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Ears of Tin My song pick 4 years ago today: Melvins - With Teeth My song pick 5 years ago today: Queen - Fat Bottomed Girls My song pick 6 years ago today: Styx - Do Things My Way My song pick 7 years ago today: Steeleye Span - The Black Freighter My song pick 8 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication My song pick 9 years ago today: Queensrÿche - Eyes of a Stranger My song pick 10 years ago today: Bad Company - Holy Water My song pick...

From: Your Saving Grace ; Year: 1969; Genre: Blues Rock Was in the mood for some Steve Miller Band music today; especially some of his earlier material. This one was originally recorded by master bluesman Blind Willie Johnson and I have to say in my opinion they did a good job with it. Hear Motherless Children on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Howlin' Wolf - Forty-Four My song pick 2 years ago today: Arlo - Stab the Unstoppable Hero My song pick 3 years ago today: Wild Turkey - One Sole Survivor My song pick 4 years ago today: Porcupine Tree - Arriving Somewhere But Not Here My song pick 5 years ago today: The Who - We're Not Gonna Take It/See Me Feel Me My song pick 6 years ago today: Chet Atkins - Funky Junk My song pick 7 years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Overdrive My song pick 8 years ago today: The Doors - Light My Fire My song pick 9 years ago today: Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds My song pick 10 years ago today: Jethro Tul...

From: Rock Love ; Year: 1971; Genre: Blues Rock The Gangster is Back is one of the live recordings from Rock Love and is a neat little blues rock piece that those who know his musical style should like. Hear The Gangster is Back on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Pearl Jam - Oceans My song pick 2 years ago today: The Grateful Dead - Mountains of the Moon My song pick 3 years ago today: The Allman Brothers Band - Not My Cross to Bear My song pick 4 years ago today: Savatage - Prelude to Madness My song pick 5 years ago today: Traffic - Rock 'n' Roll Stew Parts 1&2 My song pick 6 years ago today: Chris Squire - Lucky Seven My song pick 7 years ago today: Fleetwood Mac - The Chain My song pick 8 years ago today: The Grateful Dead - Casey Jones My song pick 9 years ago today: Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon My song pick 10 years ago today: Return To Forever - The Magician My song pick 11 years ago today: The Gipsy Kings - Hotel California M...

From: Number 5 ; Year: 1970; Genre: Rock Felt like listening to some Steve Miller Band today. This one is a bit of a rock/country crossover with more emphasis on the rock than the country. Hear Going to the Country on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Hawkwind - Sweet Obsession My song pick 2 years ago today: Yes - The Prophet My song pick 3 years ago today: Genesis - The Cinema Show My song pick 4 years ago today: Skid Row - Monkey Business My song pick 5 years ago today: ZZ Top - Tush My song pick 6 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - In Thee My song pick 7 years ago today: Rush - La Villa Strangiato (An Exercise in Self-Indulgence) My song pick 8 years ago today: Cheap Trick - Don't Be Cruel My song pick 9 years ago today: Rufus & Chaka Khan - Tell Me Something Good My song pick 10 years ago today: Freddie Taylor and His Swing Men from Harlem - Viper's Dream My song pick 11 years ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station -...

From: Book of Dreams ; Year: 1977; Genre: Blues Rock I've already chosen a lot of songs from this great album, so I'm going a bit deeper with this pick. As with most of the band's records from the '70s, this one is recorded and produced to be played in its entirety; I think they call it now " Album Oriented Rock " or something like that. Because of this track is quite digestible to all listeners if they like the singles from the record. Hear My Own Space on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Foreigner - Hot Blooded My song pick 2 years ago today: Jon Hendricks - No More My song pick 3 years ago today: Bootsy's New Rubber Band - Funk Express Card My song pick 4 years ago today: Marmalade - Rainbow My song pick 5 years ago today: Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend My song pick 6 years ago today: Rammstein - Rosenrot My song pick 7 years ago today: Count Basie - One O'Clock Jump My song pick 8 years ago today: Nightwish - Storytime ...

From: Book of Dreams ; Year: 1977; Genre: Rock I had another song in mind to pick today, but the Steve Miller Band was on my mind. This is one of my favourites off of Book of Dreams ; whilst being a little pop oriented, Steve Miller's trademark bluesy rock just adds a touch of magic to it in my opinion. Hear True Fine Love on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Twelfth Night - We Are Sane My song pick 2 years ago today: Paul & Linda McCartney - Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey My song pick 3 years ago today: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Carry On My song pick 4 years ago today: Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion My song pick 5 years ago today: Larry Graham and Graham Central Station - Turn it Out My song pick 6 years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Smells Like Nirvana My song pick 7 years ago today: Rush - Closer to the Heart My song pick 8 years ago today: Johannes Brahms - Op. #45 - (A German Requiem, To Words of the Holy Scriptures) My son...

From: Abracadabra ; Year: 1982; Genre: Rock On an album that is more or less known for its electronic/keyboard music this one's stands out a wee bit in my opinion. There's quite a few catchy hooks throughout this one that really grabs your attention, and of course the danceablilty of the song also helps. Hear Give It Up on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - It's The Engine In Me My song pick two years ago today: Foghat - Slow Ride My song pick three years ago today: Savatage - Beyond the Doors of the Dark My song pick four years ago today: Harlequin - Superstitious Feeling My song pick five years ago today: Les Paul - Hip-Billy Boogie My song pick six years ago today: The Byrds - Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There Is a Season) My song pick seven years ago today: Muse - Uprising My song pick eight years ago today: Guns N' Roses - Don't Cry My song pick nine years ago today: Puhdys,...

From: Book of Dreams ; Year: 1977; Genre: Rock Continuing with my 3rd pick in my "Winter" theme week . I don't think I could complete this theme without this song; just lucky I had not chosen it yet I guess. Anyway, this is a beautiful song that plays on a sparsely arranged, wide-open and lonely sound, which really paints a wonderful soundscape you can bring into reality in your mind's eye. Hear Winter Time on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Gloryhammer - Apocalypse 1992 My song pick two years ago today: Dream Theater - A Rite of Passage My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - Mountain Men My song pick four years ago today: Marcus Miller - Come Together My song pick five years ago today: Journey - Don't Stop Believing My song pick six years ago today: Black Sabbath - The Mob Rules My song pick seven years ago today: Roger Waters - It's a Miracle My song pick eight years ago today: Eric Idle - F--- Christmas My...

From: Abracadabra ; Year: 1982; Genre: Electronic Rock/New Wave I had early '80s Steve Miller Band on my mind and otherwise couldn't think of anything else to pick; not that it's a bad thing. Frankly, I was a little surprised that I had not picked the title track off of Abracadabra yet; I've heard it a lot throughout my life. This is one where the music is the main draw for me; I've always found the lyrics, (especially in the chorus), a bit camp, but that's part of the song's mystique and charm. Hear Abracadabra on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Blood, Sweat & Tears - And When I Die My song pick two years ago today: Styx - Mademoiselle My song pick three years ago today: David Shire - Night on Disco Mountain My song pick four years ago today: King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man My song pick five years ago today: Rush - BU2B My song pick six years ago today: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Born to Run M...

From: Fly Like an Eagle ; Year: 1976; Genre: Blues Rock For some reason, ever since last night, I had this rather nice cover of a blues by K.C. Douglas on my mind. Though it was originally titled Mercury Boogie and was about as straight-up blues you can get, I've always loved how Steve Miller kept the original blues spirit more or less untouched and added his own blues rock signature sound to it. Hear Mercury Blues on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Head Hunters - Chameleon My song pick two years ago today: Yes - Siberian Khatru My song pick three years ago today: Maddy Prior - Mother and Child My song pick four years ago today: Ludwig Van Beethoven - Op.13 - Piano Sonata No.8 " Pathétique " My song pick five years ago today: Chet Atkins - Tears My song pick six years ago today: Fleetwood Mac - Tusk My song pick seven years ago today: Fairport Convention - Tam Lin My song pick eight years ago today: Cream - Tales of Brave Ulysses