Magpies and jazz make excellent bedfellows.

I was originally going to do this as a guest post on Adam's blog as it is entirely music based, but I figured my blog needs the update more than his does. Several years ago when I was hosting the Afternoon Buzz at CFCR 90.5 FM in Saskatoon, I did an animal-themed show where I played sets featuring various animals. One of the sets focused on magpies, and as a new song has come out with magpie in the title, I figured I would revive the theme on my blog.

The new song that I referred to is Radiohead's "Morning Mr. Magpie" off their new album The King of Limbs. I like listening to this song on my way to work because it perfectly suits the hustle bustle of traffic. The beat is faster than your heartbeat, and makes you step quickly, in pace with the rush-rush-rush of everyone on their way to work and the step-click-click of heels on the sidewalk. This morning it was fairly gloomy out, and there were seagulls circling the sky above McGill campus when I was walking through it. It seemed like the birds were swooping to the music.

The next magpie song is "Two Magpies" from Paul McCartney's side project band, The Firemen. It has a jazzy feel that I love, fairly consistent with McCartney's latest releases. His voice is smoky and strained in this song, it has just the right amount of "jazz cymbal" (hah!), and the lyrics are simple and accessible. I could almost see this song being on the White Album.

The last song I want to share is "Magpie to the Morning" by Neko Case off her 2009 release, Middle Cyclone. It's another jazzy song that makes you stop and appreciate your surroundings, and a must-have on your iPod if you haven't downloaded it already (get the whole album). Case's voice is so strong and earnest it makes you reflect on life, the universe and everything. It's perfect for a spring day or an autumn afternoon.