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

From: Dreams/Answers ; Year: 1968; Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B For the life on me I cannot remember if I have picked a song off of Rare Earth's debut album; wotever the case, I know I have now. Dreams/Answers predates their signing with the iconic label Motown and did not do very well, but they hit big with their followup after joining the hit making factory. As you might've guessed, this is a medley of two of the Supremes' biggest hit songs: Where Did Our Love Go and Stop! In the Name of Love .    Hear Stop/Where Did Our Love Go on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Azteca - Peace Everybody     My song pick 2 years ago today: Midnight Oil - Too Much Sunshine   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Nothing Lasts   My song pick 4 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Box in my Head   My song pick 5 years ago today: King Harvest - A Little Bit Like Magic   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Temptations - ...

From: Bongo Rock ; Year: 1973; Genre: Surf Rock I heard this track yesterday for the first time in years, but it wasn't this version, but rather the original by drumming great Sandy Nelson . I really love the original, but the version I heard first, way, way back on one of my Dad's many old K-Tel or Ronco superhit records; I believe the one it was on was one that featured instrumental hits of the '60s and '70s. Apparently, the Incredible Bongo Band was actually a project by producer  Michael Viner , which was originally created for making the soundtrack for the sci-fi/comedy B-film The Thing With Two Heads . From wot I can tell the soundtrack, which is a beat-heavy funk and surf rock instrumental, is about the only memorable aspect of the endeavour. The "band," which was a rotating ensemble of available studio musicians, some from the legendary Wrecking Crew , only lasted around two and a half years. Their output consisted of two albums, which I believe were a...

From: Hard Labor ; Year: 1974; Genre: Rock This song, written by The Paupers and Lighthouse drummer and other instrumentalist Skip Prokop was on my mind a great deal yesterday for some reason. I am not aware if Prokop recorded a version of this song solo or with a band, but Three Dog Night did make it apparently a minor hit. The first time I heard this track was after buying a newly released greatest hits double album through my sister's Columbia House subscription on cassette. Funny enough, on the track listings there was a misprint where the titles to I'd Be So Happy and Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues) titles were blended; it said: "I'd Be Mething Sweet" on the tape's cover. Both songs on the tape were fine and did not suffer from this mess-up. Anyway, this probably could be categorized as a "power ballad" if it contained a soaring guitar solo, but everything else is present. Chuck Negron's powerful vocals and the ever-present harmon...

From: Rockin' Into the Night ; Year: 1979; Genre: Southern Rock The best aspect of this instrumental is how the twin lead guitars play off one another with that rather bouncy rhythm that evokes a slight medieval flavour.     Hear Robin Hood on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Big Audio Dynamite II - The Globe     My song pick 2 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - See You In Black   My song pick 3 years ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - Your Love   My song pick 4 years ago today: Gentle Giant - The Power and the Glory   My song pick 5 years ago today: Ennio Morricone - The Ecstasy of Gold   My song pick 6 years ago today: Rush - Clockwork Angels My song pick 7 years ago today: The Kinks - Living on a Thin Line My song pick 8 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Slow Marching Band My song pick 9 years ago today: Béla Fleck & The Flecktones - Flight of the Cosmic Hippo My song pick ...

From: Platinum Jazz ; Year: 1977; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Soul Whilst doing some outdoors work over the weekend I had a lot of War's songs playing in my mind. This was one of the singles off of their one-off Blue Note release that had a much Jazzier sound, but definitely not outside their wheelhouse so to speak. This is an excellent slow/mid-tempo, very danceable Latin/tango beat that is not only a treat to the ears, but a treat for the body to move along with.   Hear Slowly We Walk Together on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Normaal - Val Kapot     My song pick 2 years ago today: Brass Construction - Screwed (Conditions)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Procol Harum - Song for a Dreamer   My song pick 4 years ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Watching Over You   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Charlie Daniels Band - The Devil Went Down To Georgia   My song pick 6 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (B...

From: Rush ; Year: 1974; Genre: Hard Rock I dunno, just felt like some more Rush... this is the only studio album from the band to not feature lyricist/drummer Neil Peart and instead featured John Rutsey, who would soon be replaced by the fore-mentioned Peart. I have always liked the full-on rawness and youthful energy on this record. You could tell they had not yet found their way, but had already started the journey that would lead them there.     Hear Take a Friend on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Kenny Loggins - I'm Alright     My song pick 2 years ago today: Night Ranger - Don't Tell Me You Love Me   My song pick 3 years ago today: Argent - Chained   My song pick 4 years ago today: Camel - Manic   My song pick 5 years ago today: Tom Rapp - The Swimmer (for Kurt Cobain)   My song pick 6 years ago today: Rare Earth - Born to Wander My song pick 7 years ago today: The Byrds - I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better ...

From: Man in Black ; Year: 1971; Genre: Blues/Folk/Country Over the last little bit this iconic track has fit me and the way I have been feeling as of late.      Hear Man in Black on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - Do Yah     My song pick 2 years ago today: Paul Williams - We've Only Just Begun   My song pick 3 years ago today: Paul Kantner and Jefferson Starship - Mau Mau (Amerikon)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Pallas - Beat the Drum   My song pick 5 years ago today: Alestorm - Call of the Waves   My song pick 6 years ago today: Foghat - Stone Blue My song pick 7 years ago today: The Platters - The Great Pretender My song pick 8 years ago today: Rhapsody of Fire - Lux Triumphans/Dawn of Victory My song pick 9 years ago today: Blue Cheer - Second Time Around My song pick 10 years ago today: King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part 2 My song pi...