Hush (Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin album)

Hush
Studio album by
Bobby McFerrin
and Yo-Yo Ma
Released1992
RecordedAugust 22, 1991 – August 25, 1991
Studio
GenreClassical, vocal jazz
Length46:28
LabelSony Masterworks (US)
Sony Classical (international)
ProducerBobby McFerrin, Steven Epstein
Bobby McFerrin chronology
Play
(1992) 		Hush
(1992) 		Bang!Zoom
(1995)
Yo-Yo Ma chronology
Prokofiev: Sinfonia Concertante
(1992) 		Hush
(1992) 		Brahms: String Sextets, Opp. 18 & 36
(1992)

Hush is a collaborative album by vocalist Bobby McFerrin and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.[1][2] It was released on the Sony Masterworks label in 1992.[3] The pair first met at a 1988 celebration of Leonard Bernstein.[4]

The album peaked at No. 93 on the Billboard 200.[5]

Production

The album was produced by McFerrin and Steven Epstein.[6] McFerrin wrote five of its songs; the collaborators adapted three Johann Sebastian Bach compositions.[7][8] According to McFerrin, Ma was hesitant to improvise during the recording sessions.[9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
The Indianapolis Star[11]
Vancouver Sun[8]

The Indianapolis Star wrote: "Apart from a rousing indulgence in country fiddle-music licks on 'Hoedown!', McFerrin's own compositions here lean toward the artfully overdubbed New Age."[11] The St. Petersburg Times praised "the album's best track, McFerrin's beautifully melodic 'Stars'."[12] The Washington Post admired "the winning combination of Ma's unerring, often deeply expressive touch and McFerrin's wit, whimsy, resourcefulness and sheer musicality."[13]

Track listing

  1. "Grace" (McFerrin) – 3:54
  2. "Double Mandolin Concerto in G, RV 532" Andante (Vivaldi) – 4:03
  3. "The Flight of the Bumblebee" (Rimsky-Korsakov) – 1:08
  4. "Stars" (McFerrin) – 4:04
  5. "Hush Little Baby" (Trad.) – 2:36
  6. "Vocalise," song for voice & piano, Op. 34/14 (Rachmaninov) – 6:26
  7. "Musette for keyboard in D Major (AMN II/22; doubtful), BWV Anh. 126" (J. S. Bach) – 4:12
  8. "Coyote" (McFerrin) – 2:52
  9. "Sonata for 2 cellos, No. 10 in G Allegro: Prestissimo" (Barrière) – 2:36
  10. "Ave Maria" (Gounod / J. S. Bach) – 2:37
  11. "Hoedown!" (McFerrin) – 5:38
  12. "Air" (Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068) (J. S. Bach) – 5:11
  13. "Good-bye" (McFerrin) – 1:11

Personnel

  • Yo-Yo Ma – cello
  • Bobby McFerrin – vocals, arrangements (5)

Production

  • Linda Goldstein – executive producer
  • Steven Epstein – producer
  • Bobby McFerrin – producer, liner notes
  • Chris Tergesen – recording, mixing
  • Ron Rigler – recording assistant
  • John Yates – assistant engineer
  • Aaron Krops – mix assistant
  • Matthew LaMonica – mix assistant
  • Bud Graham – mastering
  • Julia Cohen – production coordinator
  • Allen Weinberg – cover design
  • Carol Friedman – cover photography
  • Yo-Yo Ma – liner notes

References

  1. ^ Metcalf, Steve (8 Jan 1992). "New year offers stack of classical CDs". Hartford Courant. p. D6.
  2. ^ "Room for Cello". Windsor Star. 1 Feb 1992. p. F1.
  3. ^ Dyer, Richard (10 Jan 1992). "Ma and McFerrin take their act to the studio". Arts & Film. The Boston Globe. p. 85.
  4. ^ Littler, William (15 Feb 1992). "Duo doesn't worry, sounds happy". Toronto Star. p. J8.
  5. ^ "Bobby McFerrin". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Hush by Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin". Billboard. 104 (7): 47. Feb 15, 1992.
  7. ^ Reese, Catherine (9 Feb 1992). "Two Wonderful Collaborations". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. E9.
  8. ^ a b Andrews, Marke (29 Feb 1992). "Having fun with voice and cello". Vancouver Sun. p. D23.
  9. ^ Blangger, Tim (22 Feb 1992). "BOBBY MCFERRIN MORE THAN 'HAPPY". The Morning Call. p. A55.
  10. ^ AllMusic Review
  11. ^ a b Harvey, Jay (14 Feb 1992). "Bobby and Yo-Yo buzz right along". The Indianapolis Star. p. D5.
  12. ^ Snider, Eric (14 Feb 1992). "Sorry, Bobby, but this time we're not happy". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 20.
  13. ^ Joyce, Mike (26 Feb 1992). "Complements of Bobby McFerrin". The Washington Post. p. C7.