YOU ARE HERE: zharth.net / Zharth's Music Log / Week 115 (Birdsongs)
(Originally finalized on December 22, 2024)
Preface: This week's theme is simple - songs written about the one beast in all of the Animal Kingdom (besides man) that is most known for singing: birds! (Apologies if you were expecting whales). Whatever it is, birds seem to inspire gentle acoustic ballads with pretty lyrics, so this week is going to be a little more laidback than usual - with a few exceptions.
Monday: Neil Young & Graham Nash - Birds (Demo) [Deja Vu (Outtakes), 1970]
Comments: Neil Young has a few different songs about birds (the title track Hawks & Doves from 1980 would have been appropriate, but it's not one of my favorites), so you know that if I picked this one, it's because I really like it. Originally appearing on After The Gold Rush, this demo version featuring Graham Nash's serene harmonies - recorded while Crosby Stills Nash & Young were in the studio working on Deja Vu - is nothing short of sublime. To me, this song evokes the melancholy feeling of walking away from a relationship (alternatively, losing a loved one, or a parent pushing their child out of the nest), and simultaneously facing the fear and the prospect of freedom of a future without that person in your day-to-day life. It's one of very few songs that can actually cause me to tear up while listening to it. "When you see me fly away without you, shadow on the things you know. Feathers fall around you, and show you the way to go."
Tuesday: James Gang - Bluebird [Yer' Album, 1969]
Comments: Next up is a song written by another member of Crosby Stills Nash & Young - namely, Stephen Stills. I was going to share the original version by Buffalo Springfield (a band that featured both Stills and Neil Young), but it occurs to me that James Gang covered the song on their debut album (alongside a cover of a tune by The Yardbirds), and it sounds really good. No disrespect meant to the original, but I'd just as soon highlight a wider range of artists. "You sit there mesmerized by the depth of her eyes that you can't categorize."
Wednesday: Bad Company - Seagull [Bad Company, 1974]
Comments: Not normally known for their acoustic ballads, I was turned on to this song that closes out Bad Company's debut album primarily due to Joe Bonamassa covering it on his 2007 album Sloe Gin. "Now you fly through the sky, never asking why. And you fly all around, 'til somebody shoots you down."
Thursday: Fleetwood Mac - Albatross [released as a single, 1968]
Comments: Although I'm a huge fan of the early years of Fleetwood Mac under the helm of Peter Green, I must admit that I didn't properly appreciate the beauty of this instrumental until I heard it performed (by David Gilmour!) for Mick Fleetwood's tribute concert to Peter Green in 2020 (which I recommend, by the way). I've since taught myself to play it on guitar - but I, of course, can't do justice to the original.
Friday: Uriah Heep - Bird of Prey [Salisbury, 1971]
Comments: And we're back to high energy rock! From Uriah Heep's sophomore album, here's Bird of Prey. Just check out the chops on this band - especially David Byron's banshee wails, Mick Box's crunchy guitar tone, and Ken Hensley's mastery of the keys. I can't believe this band didn't have more radio hits! "I can see that look that says beware. Try to move in closer if you dare."
Saturday: Steve Miller Band - Fly Like An Eagle [Fly Like An Eagle, 1976]
Comments: Between you and me, I prefer Robin Trower's Day of the Eagle, but since I already used that song for my Animals theme way back when, we're stuck with this one. Granted, this title track from Steve Miller Band's popular 1976 album is one of their biggest and most well-known hits. Its immortal refrain was even painted on a hallway mural in my high school. "Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin', into the future."
Sunday: Joe Bonamassa - Hummingbird [Live at the Greek Theatre, 2016]
Comments: We'll finish with a literal show stopper - the epic closing number from Joe Bonamassa's live tribute to the three Kings of the blues (Albert, B.B., and Freddie). Written by Leon Russell in 1970 and covered by B.B. King, here Joe turns it into a tour de force, showcasing his own incredible talent as a guitarist, the venerable Reese Wynans on piano, and the support of backing singers Mahalia Barnes, Jade McRae, and Juanita Tippins. "My lucky day. Hummingbird, don't fly away."
Honorable Mention: I intentionally left this song off my list because, honestly, I'm not that fond of it. But it gets so much praise, that I don't want to be accused of favoritism (not that this music log wasn't made for me to pick my favorites...) for not at least mentioning it. So, in the vein of giving a begrudging nod to KISS on my rock 'n' roll theme, I'll do the same now for The Beatles, with Paul McCartney's acoustic ditty, Blackbird.