Customer Reviews

Yo-Yo Ma & Bobby McFerrin: Hush

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I saw a review of this CD in CD Review magazine when it was first released. They gave it a perfect 10/10 rating. No surprise. Whoever thought to pair these two geniuses in their respective fields should be given the Nobel Prize for Music (that's right, there isn't one. . .). McFerrin is a master of jazz vocalise and improvisation, while Ma is a master of straight classical work: Up meets Down, In meets Out, Over meets Under, Scribble meets Straight Line, Improvisation meets Structure, and the results are a beautiful Between. When they are serious, they sound phenomenal together. When they are having fun, they sound phenomenal together. The listener wins!

On track 2, "Andante," it is virtually impossible to distinguish McFerrin's voice from Ma's cello at first listen. They move through this piece as a cohesive unit. Stellar tracks are Rachmaninov's "Vocalise" and Bach's "Air" -- both are just traditional classical pieces performed to their utmost potential by two gifted artists. They also have moments of fun, like on "Hoedown!" and "Coyote," and McFerrin even pokes fun of NPR on Bach's "Musette," while giving a Jimi Hendrix plug at the beginning of his vocalizing.

I could picture straight-laced classical purists shying away from this kind of tomfoolery, and jazz purists might find the classical pieces too confining. They are both missing out, though. McFerrin had shown shades of this kind of work "Lullaby" and "Psalm 23" on his MEDICINE MAN disc and even on PLAY with Chick Corea. This is a new side of Yo-Yo Man, however, and one which I would like to see again. I would pay big bucks to have been a fly on the wall during these recoring sessions!!! OFFICIUM, by Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble, is reminiscent of this kind of classical meets jazz work, but it even has a whole different feel than HUSH. If you are a fan of either artist, you will appreciate what he brings to the table and gain a new respect for what the other can bring, as well. On the real short list for "desert island" classical CDs (that's the category in which I put it). Well worth a listen!

One of the most unusual recordings -- and more enjoyable -- recordings in my CD library is Hush, a collaborative effort which combines the talents of vocal artist Bobby McFerrin and classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Without the accompaniment of a symphony orchestra or even a quartet, Ma's cello and McFerrin's amazingly flexible voice blend seamlessly in this 13-track album which is comprised of an eclectic selection of McFerrin-composed songs and works by such composers as Vivaldi, Bach, and Gounod.

Although McFerrin is perhaps best known for the ditty "Don't Worry, Be Happy" which is either his most popular or least liked song, he has a clear love for classical music; indeed, this album is a reflection of his almost child-like (and I mean this in the positive interpretation of the term) wonder of the genre. Listen, for instance to his interpretation of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee;" his vocalization here conjures up images of a playful child imitating a buzzing bumblebee.

More impressive to me was the loveliness of the interplay between McFerrin's voice and Ma's flawless-yet-never-cold performances with the cello, particularly in the performances of Vivaldi's Andante movement from the Baroque composer's Concerto in D minor for 2 Mandolins, Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, and the beautiful Ave Maria by Gounod.

McFerrin is a serious musician, in the sense that he treats each note with skill and love for the genre (classical). He has worked with various opera companies and conducted Beethoven's Seventh Symphony (at his own 40th birthday party, no less) in San Francisco. Yet, his intention here is not to preserve the myth (perpetuated by the music industry) that classical music is for old rich folks but rather explodes it. Listen to the parody of a concert emcee's stuffy announcement preceding Bach's Musette from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach and you'll understand what he means when he states that the goal of Hush was to release the child in the adult.

While studying for an exam one evening, I happen to hear Arsenio Hall introduce Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin and nearly fell off my chair... I rushed in to hear their version of Bach's "Air on G" in memory of those who had been injured or killed in the April riots in LA (1992). I immediately went and purchased the cassette of the album. And I fell in love.

McFerrin gives new life and humor to several pieces that one thinks as "serious" classical standards (Bach's "Musette"). I enjoy the exploration of McFerrin's voice and the tremendous talent and flexible playing of Yo-Yo Ma on this CD. Some of McFerrin's vocalising reminds me of Gregorian Chants, which was interesting to hear with Ma's classical music playing... For purists of the classical genre, they may be less amused with the treatments.

The imagination and talent that flows from this work continues to reinforce the reasons why I love classical music -- the ability for one to put personal emotion to a piece and also enjoy it for its own sake.

For those looking for something different, fun and funky, it's a great buy. For the purist, you may want to pass...

This is a somewhat uneven album but several of the tracks are beyond brillant. Bobby McFerrin does some of his best work improving off of the style of other musicians. The album was presumedly originally for children. There are several silly cuts because McFerrin can be so damn silly, but the album never fully jelled into a children's piece. Instead we have a couple of wonderful McFerrin pieces with a touch of cello and several classical pieces with a touch of McFerrin improvisation. This reviewer found the classical pieces deeply moving. I could hear much more clearly why Yo-Yo is of such high reputation. His touch is delicate and moving and with McFerrin's own classical music background the classical improvisations are outstanding and other worldly in a way I can not describe but have listened to a great deal. Beware classical or jazz purists this album will stretch you. By the way, these guys had a great time together and it shows.

This music has been a favorite at our house since Santa brought it this past Christmas. I find it clever, funny, beautiful, and engaging. Our children (ages 11 and 7) appreciate the beauty of the music (especially "Ave Maria") and enjoy the spirited pieces with a sense of humor. My daughter enjoys dancing to "Hoedown!". And we all appreciate the fun that Bobby McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma have with "Musette". In all, this is a wonderful addition to our CD collection.

I'm motivated to write because I see everyone else giving this album five stars, and although I'm close to agreeing, I'm just not as liberal with my perfect scores, I guess.

Don't get me wrong - this is an album you should own! The cello is said to be the orchestra instrument closest in range and tone to the male human voice; what makes the combination of Ma and McFerrin so powerful is the close mesh of sound from one "instrument" (voice) to the other (cello). Lots of Bach, which lends itself especially well to this pair. The classical pieces are tight, eerily sparse; especially powerful are the "Ave Maria" and "Air." The live comedic bit and the fluid "Flight of the Bumblebee" are fun breaks at just the right place in the album overall.

My main complaint is with the pieces penned by McFerrin. Perhaps it is just that they sound SO different from the classical pieces (and there are only four of these non-classical cuts), but they seem less conquered by the two artists, less cohesive and more just noodling. Ma is good at this sort of stuff, and so is McFerrin, so the pieces are sweet in their way, but the effect is too fluff-y for my tastes.

Have never been a big Bobby McFerrin fan, probably due to that god-awful, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." But I am a classical music junkie and one day listening to our local classical station I heard a selection that I thought was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. What a shock when I learned that it was McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma doing Vivaldi's Andante!

Honestly, I could do without the non-classical pieces on this CD...although I enjoy them.

But the classical interpretations are some of the most heavenly, wonderful, beautiful, awe-inspiring things that I have ever heard, on any CD, in any genre! Yes, that good!

McFerrin uses his voice as the perfect instrument and accompanient to Ma's cello. They were made for each other.

Listen to the samples of the classical pieces if you're a doubter...

Indeed, my introduction to this delightful CD was as I was sitting in a dental office preparing for root canal!! I was so distracted by the lyricism, the range of music and the happy collaboration of these two thoroughly professional, but very different musicians that I was startled when it all was over! Subsequently, I have given three of these as gifts to very special friends and I have a back-up one of my own. I can only give this little gem the highest of reviews!

I first received this CD as a Christmas gift from my mom almost ten years ago. I was a big Yo Yo Ma fan and she thought this CD looked 'interesting'. She couldn't have been more right! I've already worn out one copy and just recently ordered another. The blending of two different styles is fantastic, and Mr. McFerrin's voice can truly be called an instrument due to his amazing range and control. It is truly one of the most 'fun' CD's I have in my collection! Top marks!

McFerrin shines as one of (if not THE) best vocalists of our time. Yoyo Ma is allowed to foray into the world of improvisation and the result is breathtaking. This CD never ceases to blow me away. Least favorite song is "Hoedown!" but still a great showcase of their abilities and the laid-back nature of the CD. A classic that will always leave me wanting another collaboration!