So, you’ll either strenuously agree with me, or equally strenuously state that I am a fool. I really don’t care. This thread has been started to give the mad, mad props to Bobby McFerrin.
Yeah, I know that what most of you know is the “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” song. But there is sooooooo much more to appreciate. His album with Chick Corea is just spectacular from start to finish. I’ve had to sell that disc several times to make rent, but can never help but to buy it again…
He also made an album with that cello guy (whose name I can’t remember - apologies to said cello guy - I know you are kickass, but in terms of albums, I’m working from memory here)
But really, the reason for my post is a way earlier recording, Simple Pleasures. I just rediscovered this disc, and I just listened to his rendition of “Sunshine of Your Love”. Dude, the guy is the absolute shit (meaning that in a complimentary way, lest folks be confused).
Yo-Yo Ma (in reference to above cello reference). Mr. Ma, I’m so sorry I forgot your name (but if you look up, you’ll find I already acknowledged your badassery).
He also did a nice wee contribution with Robin Williams to the Beatles Cover Album.
Hell, I was thinking of “Come Together”, but Google shows he’s done a whole lot more here’s “Blackbird”, which spent a whole lot of time as my favourite Beatles tune.
Personally, I’ve been a McFerrin fan since he did the alphabet song on Sesame Street (I was home sick with a high fever, otherwise I’d never, never, never have been caught dead watching Sesame Street at that age!)
Agreed. The Simple Pleasures cassette got WORN OUT in my walkman back when it was released. I love “Drive”, his version of “Good Lovin’” and “Susie Q” and pretty much the whole rest of that album.
McFerrin is a very underrated jazzman. It’s unfortunate that his “Be Happy” song is all that most know him for, even though technically it’s very good.
Check out this live rendition of “Drive”. The whole thing is cool, but the real sweet spot is the very last note, where he actually harmonizes a major third with himself. Ridiculous - no one should be allowed to be that good.
If you haven’t heard his cover of Night in Tunisia with Manhattan Transfer and Jon Hendricks off his Spontaneous Inventions CD - well, trust me it’s badass…
What floored me about him actually was Don’t Worry/Be Happy. It’s not the song itself (though I challenge anybody over 35 to hear without smiling) but what I didn’t realize for many years somehow- there’s not a single musical instrument played in that song. McFerrin made every single sound that’s in that song, then overdubbed and layered his own vocals. It’s obvious when you realize it, but it sounds like some kind of… instrument.
And I didn’t know that his father was an opera singer until reading his wiki just now.
That said, other than DWBH, what four or five songs would you recommend as the essential Bobby McFerrin? He’s one of those artists that I like when I hear him (and not just DWBH) but never remember to “check out” later, so what’s some “best of”?
