Today, an “up” song. I love a cappella vocals. The close harmony and blend of voices and tones and especially the absence of instruments is what gets me. I once read that singing together releases a neurochemical which helps establish trust between people. Maybe listening to it does the same.
Either way Bobby McFerrin is one of a cappella’s best exponents and if your familiarity with him starts and ends with Don’t Worry Be Happy, you’ve missed one of the finest singers around. McFerrin redefined jazz vocals in the 80s, stretching out and experimenting – often with solo voice – where singers like Al Jarreau had left off before joining the smooth jazz track.
He has explored many disciplines, from jazz to classical, over more than four decades. This week I listened to McFerrin’s blistering doo-wop, a cappella take on The Young Rascals’ hit Good Lovin’.
McFerrin doesn’t use the convention of singing a cappella with others. He takes it full-tilt solo, bringing his punchy vocal, overdubbing and multi-tracking all his different voices from baritone to soprano, to emulate a band – and he uses only his own body as percussion.
His bass parts are particularly intriguing. It’s a joyful fill of scatting, glottal stops, yelps, precision and rock ’n’ roll pacing, and while the original relied on rhythm, McFerrin is all beat. McFerrin’s pitch and timing, along with a razor-sharp arrangement and metronomic accuracy, all contribute to a “Go, go, go!” interpretation of a 60s classic.
Good weekend everyone!
I started a music WhatsApp group in 2023. I send one song a week on a Friday, with links to both Apple and Spotify, and an accompanying narrative/capsule piece. You’ll read it here on a Sunday. If you want to engage about a song, get a playlist or just get in touch, email me on markgrosin@gmail.com.
Listen to Good Lovin’ on Spotify here and on Apple Music here.
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