From the Canyons to the Stars: John Zorn

Over 1,200 bird species are considered globally threatened, because they have small and declining populations or ranges. Of these, 189 are Critically Endangered and face an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future. Threatened birds are found throughout the world, but are concentrated in the tropics and especially in forests. Population declines may be quick and catastrophic, but even small increases in mortality can threaten the survival of some species.

(Birdlife International)

Hawaii O'o (Moho nobilis). Extinct. Last sighting 1934

So to start things off, have a listen to this. If you're at work or in a public place then turn it up really loud, because everyone will want to hear it.

This is a blog about birds in music, not grindcore vaginal symbolism, but Painkiller were formed by mercurial musical magician John Zorn, a sonic schizophrenic capable of multiple musical personalities. In 2009 he released an album called O'o with another of his bands The Dreamers. Zorn wrote the music, he doesn't actually play on the album, and let's just say it's a teeny weeny bit different to his work with Painkiller.

O'o (also known as Moho) is an extinct family of birds from Hawaii, wiped out by habitat loss and disease brought by European settlers, the last sighting of one was in 1934. It's a strange album, I'm not entirely sure if I really love it, but some of it is very, very beautiful, leaving you feeling a bit sad, which is, I suppose, how you're supposed to feel.

The 12 tracks on the album all represent an extinct or critically endangered species of bird, but only by chiseling open his forehead and climbing into the brain pulp of John Zorn could you ever possibly understand how the music reflects the bird. Here are three of the tracks - Po'ouli, New Zealand Little Bittern and Piopio. I've also put together a gallery of all the 12 birds on the album - listen to the music, look at the pictures, hang your head in shame.