Bird vocalization

Bird vocalization includes both bird calls and bird songs. In non-technical use, bird songs are the bird sounds that are melodious to the human ear. In ornithology and birding, (relatively complex) songs are distinguished by function from (relatively simple) calls.

Definition

The distinction between songs and calls is based upon complexity, length, and context. Songs are longer and more complex and are associated with courtship and mating, while calls tend to serve such functions as alarms or keeping members of a flock in contact. Other authorities such as Howell and Webb (1995) make the distinction based on function, so that short vocalizations, such as those of pigeons, and even non-vocal sounds, such as the drumming of woodpeckers and the "winnowing" of snipes' wings in display flight, are considered songs. Still others require song to have syllabic diversity and temporal regularity akin to the repetitive and transformative patterns that define music. It is generally agreed upon in birding and ornithology which sounds are songs and which are calls, and a good field guide will differentiate between the two.

Bird Song (Mannheim Steamroller album)

Bird Song is part of Mannheim Steamroller's Ambience collection. It was released in 2001 on CD by American Gramaphone and features 8 bird song tracks.

The Ambience collection is a series of natural recordings with musical elements composed by Chip Davis.

Track listing

Personnel

References

Mannheim Steamroller Bird Song compact disc. American Gramaphone AG201-2

Bird Song (Hampton Hawes album)

Bird Song is an album by American jazz pianist Hampton Hawes recorded at sessions in 1956 and 1958 but not released on the Contemporary label until 1999.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Jim Todd states "It's a mystery why these tracks from 1956 and 1958 went unreleased until 1999. They come from a key creative period in Hawes' career when he was enjoying new levels of commercial and critical acclaim. Regardless, the music has now been done justice in a well-mastered release that will please fans of Hawes and of bop piano in general". On All About Jazz Derek Taylor observed "Hawes’ trio recordings of the 50s are among the finest examples of small ensemble hard bop created on California shores. With these new discoveries not only is his discography bolstered, but listeners are also given another window into his art at a time when it was at its zenith. This disc is valuable document and should be consulted by anyone who appreciates resourceful and resonant piano trio jazz". In JazzTimes Doug Ramsey wrote "These trios may not have quite the magnetic cogency of Hawes' working group with Red Mitchell and Chuck Thompson, but there is more than enough brilliance here to satisfy listeners who recognize Hawes as one of the finest of the pianists who grew out of Bud Powell".