Sway by the Rolling Stones (1971)

Writing this song-of-the-day blog, I have been careful, so far, not to repeat any bands. I don't intend to do this for a good while more, either. So, when I am thinking about picking a song from an iconic band like the Stones, I weigh my song choice carefully.  Truth be told, there are probably fifteen or so "unheralded" Stones songs that I was considering for a blog post.

So, I have decided to "punt" on my decision and use the fact that Stones are now playing their 1971 classic album Sticky Fingers in its entirety in their latest tour. Even this album probably has two or three songs that could be considered "underplayed".

Listening to this song, Sway, I am reminded of how great the Stones were at their peak with Mick Taylor on lead guitar. I keep wishing that the song didn't fade out at the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ8Bc6jz-W8

Hot Pants by Alan Parker & Alan Hawkshaw (1972)

I discovered the music of Alan Hawkshaw a few years ago. I was listening to some college radio. It was probably WMBR in Cambridge, MA. In any case, I was starting to like the music that the deejay was talking over in between songs, more than the songs he was playing. I eventually found out that some of this music was by an English musician who produced a lot of advertising background music in the late 60's and early 70's. I then downloaded a ton of stuff(almost all of it instrumental). It is great mood music.

I don't know much about Hawkshaw's partner, Alan Parker, on this song. I did find out that he was a session guitarist most notably playing guitar on Donovan's Hurdy Gurdy Man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FIl_J5sI3A

Means to an End by Traffic (1968)

My first exposure to Steve Winwood was in the mid 80's when the popular "Higher Love" was flooding the radio airwaves. Even as a novice listener, I realized that that song was crap. I couldn't stand it and anything that Winwood released subsequent to 'Higher Love'. Therefore, I had no interest in discovering his earlier music. It wasn't until a few years later that I discovered Blind Faith's Can't Find My Home and thought that maybe Winwood wasn't so bad.

Still, I didn't really discover the best work he ever did, with Traffic, until I was in my 30's. And what a collection of great rock music it was. This music has feeling. Winwood also had a distinct, powerful voice that I thoroughly enjoy.

Check out this shorter number from Traffic's second album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgfk_CmbfHs

Rock n' Roll Star by Jane (1974)

1974 probably marked the most guitar-driven period for the Krautrock Prog band, Jane. They have some interesting material and some great covers. If you ever come across any Jane vinyl, pick it up because it is probably worth something. In fact, pick up any Krautrock album you come across, as it is usually very good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epAARudoS_8

Since You've Been Gone by Toe Fat (1970)

It's a shame that Toe Fat lasted only about two years. For some reason, certainly not music quality, they didn't get off the ground. Perhaps it was the name. It is kind of goofy even for the time period. In that time, though, they managed to produce two albums that are each worth repeated listens.

Here is a track off of their second album released in the Fall of 1970.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh24xqQgfrA

Good Times by Nobody's Children (1967)

I don't know much about 60's Texas garage band Nobody's Children (Not to be confused with the late 80's L.A. hard rock hair band of the same name). I do know that this song is the epitome of the garage sound which I love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBMqhpBFghk

Victim of Changes by Judas Priest (1976)

It's hard to believe that Judas Priest has been around since 1969. However, there were numerous lineup changes in the early days. It wasn't until 1974, that the long running ensemble of Rob Halford, K.K. Downing, and Ian Hill came together. Stylistically, the band took a few years to forge their signature sound that would define them in the 1980's and beyond.

Here is a track from their second album with Halford and while the song is longer than later pieces, you can hear that sound developing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKSU1W0ZUmQ