Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I discovered the world of a cappella. A group of us from high school (and then into college) started listening to The Nylons, a doo-wop a cappella group that sang such classics as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," the "Duke of Earl," "Poison Ivy," and "(All I Have To Do Is) Dream." In those few years I think we saw them at least once a year, sometimes twice as they'd tour the Front Range of Colorado. A group singing "a cappella" means that they sing without instrumental accompaniment. No drums, no backing band, just raw, naked vocal talent. It takes more than simply having a great voice - you must also be able to hear the harmonies around you and keep to your part while the others are singing sometimes wildly different melodies or sounds.
So when I first heard Bobby McFerrin, I was already familiar with the concepts of a cappella. Yes, this is the man who sings "Don't Worry, Be Happy" - but don't let that throw you off. "Don't Worry" was a big hit back in the late '80s and inspired many to take the time to stop, slow down, and enjoy life for a while. When I bought the album Simple Pleasures on tape (yes, it was that long ago), I was stunned to discover that the man who sang the slacker anthem of my high school was one heck of a talented vocalist with a range that stuns me even today and the gift to create sounds that I still have no idea how human vocal cords can make.
Like I tend to be with many artists, I visited McFerrin's realm several times over the next few years, enjoying his albums Medicine Music and Bang! Zoom before his career faded a bit.
Fast forward to late 2009... I watched The Sing-Off with my family on NBC, which was a competition for amateur a cappella groups from around the world that lasted about a week. Though I'd listened to a few podcasts featuring some of the amazing college a cappella groups around the United States and beyond, it was great to see groups like Nota and the Beelzebubs sing their hearts out for a recording contract. And in the season finale, Bobby McFerrin walked on stage and sang "Drive" with the finalists. The chance to see him perform live with these younger artists, even on television, was enough to remind me of all of his amazing work I'd enjoyed 15-20 years ago.
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Article comments
1 - Greg
Brian,
I feel as if I could have written this exact article! I practically followed this same path through the years, from the Nylons, to Spontaneous Inventions (my first exposure to Bobby), to Simple Pleasures, on down the line to Vocabularies. I've never seen Bobby in concert but he's made the transition with me through the years from tape, to CD, to traveling on my IPOD. I love everything he's done but Vocabularies is on a new level. I've been a practicing musician for over 26 years and I feel I can say with some certainty that there is genius behind this new album.
Thanks for your article and comments. It's good to hear there's someone else sharing the path I've chosen!
2 - Fitz
@Greg - It's nice to know I'm not alone on this path. :) Thanks for the comments!
3 - Jason
There is genius behind the new album...could not agree more. His name is Roger Treece. :-)