"These are not melodies to hum."

Not much time to talk, but here's a tingle for your spine.

Watching Takeaway Shows on La Blogotheque is always thrilling for me. Organic, single-take (is that the right word?), full of power or vulnerability and usually both. This one from Torres is no exception. Give it a listen, and when you're done, browse the archives: 332 videos and even more songs. My favorites include Yeasayer and Sigur Ros, which came very early on. It's been years since I had time to watch these for hours, but maybe I'll squeeze in a few before it's time to go hiking every day.

The Wave and The Civil Wars

The Civil Wars released a new album called Between the Bars recently, which featured a album cover that looked oddly familiar to me. It is The Wave, part of the Paria Canyon Vermilion Cliff Wilderness Area in northern Arizona.

What it is about this place that captures the imagination? For once I won't try to guess but leave you, the reader, with images from my visit to the wave and let you decide. Make sure to listen to the tunes and see if you think they match the place on the cover.

Barred Owls and Wintery Mix

Bad news first: our Barred Owl cousins are getting shot by the dozens. And if a new program goes according to plan, more than 3,500 can be legally killed. It's all an effort to make room for the Spotted Owl, which is losing habitat to the bigger, more aggressive species. Fascinating story. Go read, then we'll discuss. I'll wait.

I really want to know what you think. Is previous human disruption enough justification for hunting wild creatures now? Or should biologists spend resources on other initiatives, such as restoring habitat or breeding programs?

And to cheer ya'll up, here's a playlist! Perfect for the chilling wind and spitting snow we've had in Missouri lately. There's seriously not a track I don't love.

If you aren't reading The Fox is Black, then what are you reading?

The Piccolo, the Pocketgrouse, and Peapod Pritchard

My dear friend Paige Pritchard sent this lovely email to me and another friend. It's about birds and music—perfectly apt for a blog called Bard Owls, no? -TC

Hello fellow lovers of nature and sound!

I bookmarked this article ("The Piccolo and the Pocketgrouse," by Eric Wagner in Orion) to read a while back, and finally got around to it when I woke up earlier than expected this morning. Given that I'm not fully awake, lazily reading about the intersection of bird songs and music theory was a perfect way to ease my way into consciousness for the day. While reading the article I took the time to research some of the musical pieces and listen to them as Wagner describes it. Tina, I immediately thought of you with all of the ornithology in the piece, I'm sure you've heard of some of the birds the writer featured in the musical pieces! 

 

Petites Esquisses D'oiseaux (translates into, "Small Bird Sketches," I think? "Small Sketches of Birds?") by Olivier Messiaen:  

 

And Brooke, I know we've talked about classical music before. This piece raises the question that comes along with any great aural analysis - What is music? The music of birds, whales, etc. is a collection of sounds that, although beautiful, are arranged haphazardly. It's a stark contrast to the extended melodies of Western music and what we would consider as intelligent composition. Which, then, is the natural form of music? That which occurs organically in animals, or the music we create because it abides by a set of rules and is pleasing to the ear? Wagner addresses this in the second section. 

Either way, the phrase "aural ecology" is now a part of my vocabulary now. What a beautiful term. 

(Emily Doolittle's website, more links are in blue)

Night Blackbird Song

Music for Magpies: Pied Butcherbird [editor's note: Yes! Shrikes are incredible birds!]

 

Check it out when you have a few spare minutes, it's a fun concept to sink your teeth into :) 

 

Also, check Paige out if you have a few spare minutes. She's a most joyful and curious writer, and a great travel partner to boot. Her tweets are music to *my* ears. 

Hills of My Home

I grew up listening to folk and singer-songwriter legends like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Harry Chapin. There is a certain limitation that comes with music made by one or two people and a guitar. I have always had the feeling that it makes the music a bit more genuine. It either works or it doesn't. When The Honey Dewdrops plays, it works. The band released their third album titled Silver Lining earlier this year. A highlight of the album was Hills of My Home. I have heard the band perform this song in concert and am happy to see it make its way to this album.The song takes on the topic of mountaintop removal mining in a way that makes it both personal and potent without being overbearingly political.


 

We Are Augustines: Somewhere Over The Mountain

What more is this blog about than great music recorded live at a beautiful location? The background alone makes me miss the West. A hat tip to NPR Music.