Summary
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]
| Hush | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1992 | |||
| Recorded | August 22, 1991 – August 25, 1991 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | Classical, vocal jazz | |||
| Length | 46:28 | |||
| Label | Sony Masterworks (US) Sony Classical (international) | |||
| Producer | Bobby McFerrin, Steven Epstein | |||
| Bobby McFerrin chronology | ||||
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| Yo-Yo Ma chronology | ||||
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The album peaked at No. 93 on the Billboard 200.[5]
Production edit
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 edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| 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 edit
- "Grace" (McFerrin) – 3:54
- "Double Mandolin Concerto in G, RV 532" Andante (Vivaldi) – 4:03
- "The Flight of the Bumblebee" (Rimsky-Korsakov) – 1:08
- "Stars" (McFerrin) – 4:04
- "Hush Little Baby" (Trad.) – 2:36
- "Vocalise," song for voice & piano, Op. 34/14 (Rachmaninov) – 6:26
- "Musette for keyboard in D Major (AMN II/22; doubtful), BWV Anh. 126" (J. S. Bach) – 4:12
- "Coyote" (McFerrin) – 2:52
- "Sonata for 2 cellos, No. 10 in G Allegro: Prestissimo" (Barrière) – 2:36
- "Ave Maria" (Gounod / J. S. Bach) – 2:37
- "Hoedown!" (McFerrin) – 5:38
- "Air" (Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068) (J. S. Bach) – 5:11
- "Good-bye" (McFerrin) – 1:11
Personnel edit
- Yo-Yo Ma – cello
- Bobby McFerrin – vocals, arrangements (5)
Production edit
- 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 edit
- ^ Metcalf, Steve (8 Jan 1992). "New year offers stack of classical CDs". Hartford Courant. p. D6.
- ^ "Room for Cello". Windsor Star. 1 Feb 1992. p. F1.
- ^ Dyer, Richard (10 Jan 1992). "Ma and McFerrin take their act to the studio". Arts & Film. The Boston Globe. p. 85.
- ^ Littler, William (15 Feb 1992). "Duo doesn't worry, sounds happy". Toronto Star. p. J8.
- ^ "Bobby McFerrin". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
- ^ "Hush by Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin". Billboard. 104 (7): 47. Feb 15, 1992.
- ^ Reese, Catherine (9 Feb 1992). "Two Wonderful Collaborations". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. E9.
- ^ a b Andrews, Marke (29 Feb 1992). "Having fun with voice and cello". Vancouver Sun. p. D23.
- ^ Blangger, Tim (22 Feb 1992). "BOBBY MCFERRIN MORE THAN 'HAPPY". The Morning Call. p. A55.
- ^ AllMusic Review
- ^ a b Harvey, Jay (14 Feb 1992). "Bobby and Yo-Yo buzz right along". The Indianapolis Star. p. D5.
- ^ Snider, Eric (14 Feb 1992). "Sorry, Bobby, but this time we're not happy". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 20.
- ^ Joyce, Mike (26 Feb 1992). "Complements of Bobby McFerrin". The Washington Post. p. C7.