Toward evening yesterday, we heard a raucous disturbance among the flock of blue jays occupying a blue spruce at the edge of the yard. We looked out to find the jays dive bombing a row of arbor vitae. About halfway up one of the shrubs was what we later concluded was a western screech owl. It wasn’t screeching, just peering out of its refuge looking unconcerned and, of course, wise. Owls are so infrequent in our neighborhood that I took a picture through the window with an inadequate point-and-shoot camera. Digitally enlarged, the section of the photo with the owl in the bush took on a sort of pointillist character. Posting this, I considered finding appropriate music to go with it: “Owl Be Seeing You” or “Owl Be Around,” perhaps. But that would be unforgivably corny, wouldn’t it?
Other Matters: The Owl
February 19, 2012 by
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
Owl of me?
OWL BLUES
I was afraid this might happen.
Owl or Nothing at Owl
..you were right to be afraid. Very afraid.
Cole Porter’s “Owl Through the Night”
Duke Ellington’s “Owl Too Soon”
Haymes’ & Brand’s “That’s Owl”!
Owl Be Glad When You’re Dead, You Rascal Ewe
Fear not!
It’s Owl Right With Me
Owl I Do Is Dream of You
I Guess Owl Have To Change My Plan
That’s Owl
Owl Man River.
Owl By Myself
I’ve taken a lot of aspirin, but it doesn’t make the pain go away.
God!, Owl’s Chillun’ Got Rhythm!
Owl Wait For You
Crazy Hick Owls Me
Con Owl, Ma
…My God….
Are You Livin’, Owl Man?
Bugle Owl Rag
Readers must be howling at all these owlful puns. It’s owlandish that a jazz blog would publish such stuff.
Now you’ve got me owling. I hereby declare this competition ended