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

I don't believe that I could do a guitar themed week of songs without this great George Harrison track. An incredible song written by one of the overlooked Beatles and, of course, Eric Clapton's guitar work in this one is legendary. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

Oh what the heck, I am up for an impromptu theme week: guitar songs. This song is classic Jerry Reed with some of the best guitar picking, lyrics and vocals. An absolutely incredible fun song to listen to. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. Here is a "Country Funk" live version on YouTube. +

The last couple of days it would seem as if I end up picking a song at zero hour instead of one that I had in mind for much of the day. For some reason this beautiful piece just seemed perfect for my mood tonight. The song is about the relationship and friendship that exists between musician and instrument. Apparently he wrote the song about the guitar that he learned how to play on; from what I understand he had lost this dear instrument and later ran across it and wrote this song on it. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I had a couple of songs in mind to add to my list today, however, whilst on the road this evening this song popped on my iPod and it just seemed to be perfect for this evening. I was sure that I had already chosen it and was surprised that I hadn't added it yet, so I will. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

I really needed to lose myself in some music today and I could not think of a better music for the task then the Space Rock of the band Hawkwind. This one of their bigger hit songs; Lemmy and the band kick some serious tail in this one, both him and Dave Brock are pure genus. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a music video on YouTube. Here is a recent live performance on YouTube. +

It seems as of late that I have been remembering bands that should have been added a long time ago to my list, but have not; this is another one that I have woefully neglected on my list. For those who do not know about Steeleye Span, they are another one of those "bloody loud folk bands" from The British Isles. One of my favorite aspects of this band other than the Progressive/Folk Rock music is Maddy Prior's exquisite vocals. This song is their Folk Rock adaptation of a traditional folk ballad about the legendary Scots prophet and laird: Thomas Learmonth, though he was/is also known by the names: " Thomas the Rhymer " or " True Thomas ." Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance of the song on YouTube. +

While doing some work yesterday I was listening to this track along with a bunch of other Nightwish music; I noticed that I had not added it yet, so I will today. This is, of course, a cover of the Andrew Lloyd Webber hit from the musical of the same name. They did an excellent job with the cover of this piece, but still put their own spin on it. The music and vocals are done quite well; of course Tarja Turunen sings the character Christine's part and bassist Marco Hietala sings the part of the Phantom in this duet. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

This is a beautiful piece of Jazz I have been working on to learn recently; I really needed add it to my list. This song was written by the Jazz great: Trumpeter Clifford Brown for his wife who he referred to as his "Joy Spring." It is sad that such an incredible artist lost his life at such a young age, but he did accomplish a lot in the short time he was around. Here is a recording of the song on YouTube. Here is an alternate version of the song on YouTube. +

My 666th song choice... I guessed that I needed a fitting song for the ominous pick. There were many songs that would fit it, but this one fit best for me; it's an excellent song that I would have added to my list anyway. Of course I love that the song makes references to the film Blade Runner , which is based in the Philip K. Dick novel " Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? ;" a favorite Sci-Fi book and movie of mine. This number in pop culture has been referred to as "the devil's number" or somehow is connected to Satan and/or Hell, however, the Number of the Beast is actually the number of a man. From Book of Revelation 13:18: "Here is the wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." With it being the number of a man, I could not think of a better song than More Human Than Human. Oddly enough some recent discoveries have been found

While doing some searching of Savatage music I ran into this odd hidden track, apparently it was released on a special edition release of the The Dungeons are Calling album as a hidden bonus track. I find it a bit of a shock that this song flew under my radar with Savatage being one of my favourite bands. The Dungeons are Calling album comes from their earlier heavier metal period. As with much of the album this song is about drug use and the consequences there of. What makes this particular song odd is that they, as the title suggests, rap in it. The lyrics are just genius and just hilarious in parts, and Jon Oliva's vocals sell it the rest of the way. From this song I have added another entry to my "favorite lyric line" list: "I don't have a monkey on my back - I have the whole zoo - that's a fact." Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

I have been meaning to choose this song for a while now, and will make an excellent late pick. A while ago I did not know who did this song; I heard it on the radio quite a bit and liked it, but never thought about who did it or to connect it to Steely Dan; I just liked it. When I discovered who the band was it made a lot of sense and I liked it even more. An excellent song to end a Saturday. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I've really no reason for choosing this song today other than I was thinking about it yesterday and I like it. I need some stuff that is a bit off the wall for this stressful time I am having. I love the grooving bass mixed with the off the wall lyrics. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

I needed some music to take my mind off some of the crap going on, Neil Young just seemed perfect for the job. There is something about the irreverent use of distortion and politicized lyrics that just work perfect for my mood. Here is the music video on YouTube. For some reason they edited out the final verse. There are a lot of live performances and covers of the song available as well. +

Yesterday I found out that The Ventures' guitarist and bassist Bob Bogle had died at the age of 75; an obituary can be found here . As with most times when a member of a band I like passes away I usually like choosing one of their songs; today is no different. This is one of my favourite songs from The Ventures, there are many good memories for me tied to this song. Here is the original studio version on YouTube. Here is the version from '64 on YouTube. +

While this song is not as heavy as much of their popular tracks, it's nice all the same. The vocals and lyrics have always been the main draw for me, quite beautiful. A nice song to start off a busy Tuesday. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance circa '02 on YouTube. +

For some odd reason I felt like choosing one of the most depressing 'Tull songs today; for the last week off and on the song was going through my mind. The music to this song is just beautiful and upbeat, which contrasts greatly with the subject matter, but at the same time works perfectly. About half way through the song the melody from the more popular 'Tull song: Wond'ring Aloud , which can be found here on YouTube , which comes from the Aqualung album is featured. Actually, from what I understand, you have a "chicken and the egg" situation here, Wond'ring Again was written first and Wond'ring Aloud was derived from this rarer track. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

This was a song that was playing on the way home tonight, and it just felt like a good time to choose it. I just love Jon Oliva's vocals in every song that he sings, he is an amazing vocalist. Some excellent Theatrical Metal to end the weekend. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live acoustic performance recording on YouTube. Here is a live performance of the song circa '96 on YouTube. Here is a live performance of the song on YouTube by Jon Oliva's Pain: (the band which Savatage became.) +

While on the road today my cassette to mp3 player adapter broke and I was forced to listen to the local radio; it was not as bad as it would seem, however. This song popped on the radio when we were close to home and just seemed to be a good choice for tonight. This is one of my favorite Elton John/Bernie Taupin compositions; the lyrics and the music meld perfectly to make an incredible, beautiful song. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a classic performance on YouTube. +

This song was played a lot yesterday on the radio, multiple times on one station in particular; this also is one of my favorite songs from Alice Cooper. After that I took it as a sign that it was in need of being added to the list. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a classic live performance on YouTube. +

After picking a band that I discovered on Austin City Limits yesterday I remembered that I had not chosen any of What Made Milwaukee Famous' music yet; I also discovered them a while ago on Austin City Limits . At the time they played that gig they were still an unsigned act, which they have since remedied. I thought that their band's name was one of the most inventive; it would have only been better if they were from Milwaukee. From what I understand the band's name actually comes from the Jerry Lee Lewis song: What Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out of Me) , that song itself was a reference to a Schlitz beer slogan. Anyway, this is quite a fun song and one of my favorites that I have heard from the band. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I was watching Austin City Limits this last weekend and this band was one of the featured acts. I usually try to catch the show when ever I can; I have loved this show since I was quite young and it was one of the best and sometimes the only music show available to those without cable or satellite. Anyway, this band put on a good show, and they were quite entertaining to watch. For those who do not know of them, they are a duet that features Aaron Kyle Behrens on vocals and guitar and Thomas Ross Turner on the synthesizer or drums. Their music would be described as electronic dance music with some funk and rock thrown in. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

Max chose this song yesterday; I really like this song quite a bit. For me it sounds something like a mix between late '80s and '90s Blue Öyster Cult and Stone Temple Pilots; two bands that I like a lot. A very good song, definitely worth a pick. Here is a live music video/performance on YouTube. +

I need some Queen today, this is one of their songs among many that I like a lot. There is so much that I like about this one; it is just an amazing song. Here is the music video on YouTube. +

I am in just an odd mood tonight and for some reason I felt like choosing an "alien" song from an older Sci-Fi show that I used to watch and still like: Lexx . The song, written by Marty Simon, premiered in the second season in the episode " Brigadoom ." This was an odd episode that told the back-story of one of the main characters: Kai, who was an undead assassin created by The Divine Order. This episode took the form of a musical opera, it told how his people became immortal and then isolated themselves from the universe. They then became bored with their immortal existence and welcomed death at the hands of The Divine Order, however some, led by Kai, decided to attack and perished. Kai's body was reanimated and was made into an assassin for The Divine Order. This was the battle hymn sung by those who went into battle. In subsequent seasons this song was used as the opening theme song. Here is the opening sequence featuring the song on YouTube. +

I had at least five other songs in mind for my pick for this otherwise blasé day; it just fits mood very well. This is such a beautiful song with some of the most awesome lyrics and vocals complemented perfectly with the music; a real work of art. There is something just magical about the first Doors album, I cannot name one song off of this album that I dislike at all. Even though this album is over 40 years old it has freshness for me every time I play it. Hear Crystal Ship on YouTube. +

This piece of music contains one my favorite J. S. Bach's Organ Works. For me this is one of Bach's more inspirational pieces; I love the swelling, deep, and powerful pedal notes in this one; it is such a beautiful piece of music. I have been trying to transpose the Sinfonia section to the bass for a bit now, it is quite challenging especially because I have to De-tune the low string on my six string bass down two-and-a-half steps to achieve the F#0 (23.12 Hz) pedal note; when the string is that loose it rattles horridly and does not sound quite right if I attack the string too hard. Here on YouTube is a performance of the Sinfonia section played on the Wanamaker Pipe Organ in Philadelphia, the world's largest functioning pipe organ. Over 28000 pipes, six manual keyboards + pedal board. Only the Boardwalk Hall Organ in Atlantic City, New Jersey is larger with about 33000 pipes, but it has deteriorated and is in bad condition and not fully functional. Here is a neat

After Max chose a Kansas song yesterday, I took a look at my list and realized that I had not chosen a song from Kansas in over a year, ( Song 250 ); way too long in my opinion. This music is the sort of stuff that causes most music critics to go insane and their ears to bleed, with symbolic and deep lyrics that would cause a pop music fan's head to explode if he/she tried to understand them; a ten minute opus: aaaaahhhhh, Progressive Rock at its best. Incredible, bombastic, self-indulgent music that is perfect for my mood today. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

I heard this song last week and it's been running through my mind off and on ever since. It's quite a catchy tune with interesting lyrics; very fun to listen to. I love the grooving slap bass in this song, it is one of the main aspects for me on this track; of course the solo is fun as well. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

For some reason this song was running through my mind for the last couple of days; since I have not chosen a Bowie track in a while and I like this song I will add it today. Here is a fan video with the studio version on YouTube. +

I recently discovered that Dan Seals, (England Dan), died a couple of months ago; it is weird that I did not hear about it when it happened. This is another one of those bands that I was deluged with when I was growing up and is also one of the ones that I ended up liking. For those who have not heard of them, they are one of those "&" soft rock acts that were popular in the '70s and '80s. Dan Seals was also the younger brother of Jim Seals of Seals & Croft; another "&" act. Anyway, I have never really been a fan of their popular songs, but I do like many of their other album tracks, mostly due to the George Harrison influenced lead guitar. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +