Notablog

Song of the Day: Joy Spring, composed by the great jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown, was the artist’s signature tune. It was recorded twice by him in 1954, once on August 6, and again on August 12. The first studio session included such musicians as Harold Land on tenor sax and…

Song of the Day: Take Me Higher features the words and music of Narada Michael Walden, Sally Jo Dakota, and Nikita Germaine. It was released on this date in 1995 as the first single from the album of the same name—the twenty-first studio album of Diana Ross‘s legendary career. This…

Song of the Day: Fundance [YouTube link], composed by jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan, is an upbeat track on the artist’s 1985 debut album, “Magic Touch“. Nominated for two Grammy Awards, the album was produced by another guitar great, Al Di Meola. On this composition, Jordan plays solo, providing basslines, chords,…

Song of the Day: Once Upon a Time [YouTube link], composed by Eddie Sauter, was recorded at Webster Hall in New York City on this date in 1961. A master of harmonic modulation, Sauter created orchestral arrangements for this third-stream experiment, merging classical and jazz styles. He left it to…

Song of the Day: Ride the Lightning, words and music by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton and Dave Mustaine, is the title track to this Metallica album released on this date in 1984. This second studio album by the heavy metal band was a Top Ten Billboard Rock Album…

Song of the Day: The Boys of Summer features the music of Mike Campbell and the lyrics of Don Henley, who celebrates his 79th birthday today. Henley was a founding member of The Eagles, but this song appears on his second solo project, the 1984 album, “Building the Perfect Beast“.…

Song of the Day: Oblivion, composed by Astor Piazzolla, can be heard in the 1984 Italian film, “Henry IV” and was recorded by Milva, with French lyrics by David McNeil. So many jazz and classical artists have recorded this song through the years, including guitarist Al Di Meola, on whose…