The Song For Today by Jimmie Oliver (free ebook reader for ipad TXT) 📖

JANUARY 1ST
Whole Lotta Love by C.C.S. (1970)
from the album C.C.S.
On this date in 1984 Alexis Korner died at the age of fifty-five. Korner was hugely influential in the development of British-based blues which soared into orbit in the mid-1960s. Artists such as the Rolling Stones, Cream, and Jimmy Page all had an association with this respected pioneer. Korner eventually found chart success of his own when his combo, entitled CCS (or the Collective Consciousness Society) released an instrumental cover version of Led Zeppelin's anthemic 'Whole Lotta Love'. It was very ironic that although the mighty Zeppelin flatly refused to ever issue singles in Britain, one of their tunes would become the theme music to the BBC chart's flagship television programme, 'Top Of The Pops'!
{Also on this date, the Euro currency is introduced in 1999}

JANUARY 2ND
Dazed And Confused by Led Zeppelin (1969)
from the album Led Zeppelin
This day marks the anniversary of the birth of Richard Cole in 1946, Led Zeppelin's notorious hell-raiser and tour manager. While most road managers might have sought to curb the excesses of their musicians, Cole chose to encourage them. In the company of John 'Bonzo' Bonham and Jimmy Page, Cole left a trail of destruction in many a five-star hotel suite, while the unholy trinity of Cole, Bonzo, and the ex-wrestler Peter Grant also left one or two individuals with black eyes and worse. It is therefore appropriate that the song for today should be arguably the standout track from Zeppelin's seminal debut album. Jimmy Page's composition, originally titled 'I'm Confused', was a fine example of the blending of blues with (heavy metal) rock.
{Also on this day, 66 soccer fans are killed in the Ibrox disaster of 1971}

JANUARY 3RD
Everybody Hurts by REM (1992)
from the album Automatic For The People
No this book is not about all things Zeppelin, tempting though it is to recall at length the wonder that was the fearsome foursome. Nevertheless, this date represents the birthday of the group's ace bass player John Paul Jones in 1946. After Zeppelin crash landed in September 1980, Jones went into relative obscurity, but returned to the semi-limelight in the early 1990s when he collaborated with the equally formidable REM. One product of their work together was the heart-rending ballad 'Everybody Hurts', from the outstanding 'Automatic For The People' collection. The combination of Jones's string arrangements and Michael Stipe's lyrics have granted this song the status of timeless classic.
{Also on this date, Alaska becomes the 49th state of the United States in 1959}

JANUARY 4TH
World Leader Pretend by REM (1988)
from the album Green
Not REM again? Yes, well it is the birthday of Michael Stipe in 1960. It was probably the excellent 'Green' album that effected the group's transition from cult status to international supergroup. I am particularly keen on the long player's Side Two, including such tracks as 'Hairshirt' (akin to Led Zeppelin's early acoustic numbers) and also 'I Remember.....California'. However, the best item on the album is perhaps on Side One, namely 'World Leader Pretend'. Michael Stipe has always been a serious individual who has something worthwhile to say, and in this number he sings of an individual (himself?) confronting personal demons: "I sit at my table and wage war on myself."
{Also on this day, Phil Lynott, the leader of Thin Lizzy, dies in 1986, aged 36}

JANUARY 5TH
Rapture by Blondie (1980)
from the album Autoamerican
Chris Stein, Debbie Harry's long-time other half and song-writing partner, was born on this day in 1950. In the autumn of 1980, Blondie reached the summit of the British singles charts for the fifth time in less than two years, with their cover of the reggae classic, 'The Tide Is High'. Its follow-up 'Rapture' fared less well in the UK, though it did sneak into the Top Five in early 1981, yet it was a courageous attempt by a white group to bring the new sound of rap music into the mainstream. 'Rapture' hails from the sorely under-rated 'Autoamerican' album which producer Mike Chapman described as Blondie's Sergeant Pepper, though critics begged to differ. If you ever see the colourful video promo of 'Rapture', watch out for the appearance of the goat. Apparently, it proved to be most reluctant at fulfilling its walk-on part.
{Also on this date, Mal Evans, the roadie and friend of the Beatles is shot dead in LA, aged 40}

JANUARY 6TH
Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd (1975)
from the album Wish You Were Here
The late Roger 'Syd Barrett' (born on this date in 1946) only contributed to the first Pink Floyd album and partially to the second one, yet the legend that is Syd hung like a shadow over his former bandmates for many years thereafter. It could be argued that 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' (or parts of it) and 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' (from the 'Wish You Were Here' follow-up) were written with Syd in mind. 'Shine On' is certainly a giant of a song. Split rather pretentiously into nine parts (well, it is the Floyd), 'Shine On' is very much a period piece, typical of early and mid-seventies progressive rock, when lengthy, meandering tracks were in vogue. By a strange quirk of fate, a bald, overweight Syd appeared at the EMI Abbey Road studios during the recording of this song about him. Doing a fine impersonation of a vagrant, the erratic Syd explained to his horrified friends that his weight was due to the large pork chops he had in his fridge. He wasn't known as a crazy diamond for nothing.
{Also on this day, jazz musician, John 'Dizzy' Gillespie dies in 1993, at the age of 75}

JANUARY 7TH
Babylon System by Bob Marley And The Wailers (1978)
from the album Survival
This day marks the birth of Earl 'Wya' Lindo, a keyboardist in Bob Marley's backing group, The Wailers. The song that I have chosen for today emanates from the 'Survival' album. Rather like much of the content from this long player, 'Babylon System' is an uncompromising black consciousness track which denounces the First World (or the west) for its ill treatment of the Third World, of which Marley was a leading spokesman. The musical accompaniment to this superb Marley effort makes for pleasant listening, but fellow Babylonians be under no illusion, the marvellous Marley doesn't sugar coat his lyrics. Steeped in biblical imagery, Robert Nesta states that "we've been taken for granted much too long" and urging the listener to "tell the children the truth."
{Also on this date, the Vietnamese seize Phnom Penh from the Khmer Rouge in 1979}

JANUARY 8TH
Sound And Vision by David Bowie (1977)
from the album Low
By 1976 David Bowie, re-invented as The Thin White Duke, was languishing in Berlin, coping with the after-effects of hard drug use. Well, what do you expect when you play with Iggy and Lou? Nevertheless, although Bowie's creative energy was almost stifled by his extra-curricular habits, he did re-emerge with the help of such tracks as 'Sound And Vision'. This song is a particular favourite of mine. I like the guitar chords, drums, and the synthesizer. It's all fairly repetitive stuff, but when you create a catchy sound, then why go off at a tangent? The single also struck a chord (no pun intended) with the British record buyers who helped Bowie return to the Top Three of the hit parade in early 1977. I like the origin of this item. Bowie, laid low by one or two substances, was literally waiting for the gift of sound and vision to return to his consciousness. Ably assisted by the guitar of Carlos Alomar, this is an under-rated Bowie classic that ought to be played on the anniversary of his birth in 1947.
{Also on this day, the trial of the 7 Watergate 'burglars' begins in 1973}

JANUARY 9TH
The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore by The Walker Brothers (1966)
available on the album The Walker Brothers’ Story
Scott Engel was born on this day in 1943. Along with Gary Lees and John Maus, he lit up the singles charts with one or two classic pop songs. Most noteworthy is 'The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore' which highlighted the excellent vocal harmonies of the Walker Brothers. This pop ballad emulated their previous success with 'Make It Easy On Yourself' by reaching the summit of the British singles chart. Unquestionably one of the great singles of the 1960s, this tear-jerker has been described fittingly as "majestic" by the former Radio One disc jockey Mike Read. The great bespectacled one wasn't too wide of the mark on this occasion. What a pity that Scott and his companions could not build upon the success of this 45. Anyhow, one note of warning ought to be issued: Before indulging yourself in this track, get a couple of tissues out.
{Also on this date, the UN headquarters in New York officially open in 1951}

JANUARY 10TH
The Killing Of Georgie (Part I And II) by Rod Stewart (1976)
from the album A Night On The Town
This track never quite garnered the acclaim it truly deserves. There may be a couple of possible reasons for this. Firstly, it narrowly failed to reach the coveted Number One position. After all, in cricket it is suggested that people remember centuries considerably more than scores of 98 or 99. Secondly, the success of 'Sailing' also served to eclipse what I consider to be the superior song. Furthermore, the consensus of opinion is that once Rod parted company with the Faces and acquainted himself with Uncle Sam, the quality of his recordings declined. I question this theory. Anyhow, 'The Killing Of Georgie (Part I And II)' is a moving story of a gay friend who meets a violent and early death in New York. I regard this beautiful but