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Epicurus.com - Hush
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List Price: $17.98
Our Price: $13.99
Your Save: $ 3.99 ( 22% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Sony
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0074644817720
Label: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Sony
Release Date: 1992-01-28
Studio: Sony
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Editorial Reviews:
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The idea here was to put two masters together--one classical cellist, one improvisational singer/sound-effects performer--and voilĂ ! instant amazing, unique, hip--and, hopefully, hit--record. The intriguing setup was to see what would happen when each led the other through the unfamiliar territory of his own specialty. The success of this recording lies not so much in the music or even in the overall performances, but in the fascinating and fun opportunity to sit in on the musicians' good-natured, respectful give-and-take, to witness an uncommon form of artistic chemistry that allows each performer to expand his vision and even his technique. On one hand we get Bobby McFerrin's impressionistic, improvisatory jazz/pop; on the other we enjoy Yo-Yo Ma's highly refined, formalized musicianship. Originally planned as a disc for children, Hush goes far beyond its initial premise, with each of the 13 tracks demonstrating these musicians' unique gifts and showing that, whether it's Vivaldi or jazz, it's all music and it's all a lot of fun. --David Vernier
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: You can hear the fun the two are having
Comment: Some recordings sound polished and elegant. Some sound like the artists are having a blast while they're recording. "Hush" is a delightful mix of both.
Most of the songs are pretty quiet save for my three favorites. You've got a lot of traditional and classical music with Master Ma's beautiful playing and McFerrin's incredibly versatile voice.
My favorites:
"Hush" with lyrics by McFerrin
"Hoedown" with vocal riffing by McFerrin
"Flight of the Bumblebee" probably the most fun the pair had
Rebecca Kyle, December 2008
Customer Rating:
Summary: charm but not much depth
Comment: Charm but not much depth, cello and a voice that can imitate instruments that usually imitate voice. Both artists are exquisite musicians, but the overall effect is less than inspiring.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Yo-Yo & Bobby...How do I love thee
Comment: This music has a song that I was obliged to have played as my wedding march. The musical is etherial and loveable. Our favorite!!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Expect the unexpected!
Comment: This is truly a great piece of work. Having picked up a MD with McFerrin conducting an orchestra and using his voice as an instrument and being pleased by those works I was anticipating this CD. Had I known about it's release 15 years ago I would have bought it then! The tracks are individual masterpieces. If you don't have the heart to laugh at the musings of McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma then you really should just keep your stone cold heart away from this collection. You really don't know what to expect as you listen because each track takes such a different swing. Track 7: Musette has an opening that had me rolling and after that goes into a beautiful track. Track 9: Allegro Prestissimo is pure art. Track 8: Hoedown! throws Yo-Yo out of his loop but is good fun. Definitely read the liner notes. Oh, not for the stuck up crowd that's for sure. Think outside the box once in a while!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: A beautiful marriage of perspectives and styles
Comment: The idea of this album is certainly interesting, and artfully carried out. Jazz icon, McFerrin, and master cellist, Ma, parter together to bring a diverse selection of pieces on this recording. McFerrin's own virtuosity in the area of composing, is shown in this recording that includes several originals by him.
The nearly seamless marriage of voice and strings is beautifully presented and the recording is certainly presented in an easy sound. Not only does McFerrin show his outstanding versatility as a vocalist, but Ma shows his lovely artistry in playing a wide range of styles.
My favorite pieces in this recording would be as follows:
Flight of the Bumblebee by Rimsky-Korsakov. This piece is charming in it's quick-tempo and change of timbres throughout the performance, primarily within the voice of McFerrin. The composition is widely known, and is likely to infect the listener with joy and smiles.
Rachmaninoff's Vocalise is a great piece preformed in nearly a traditional manner, with McFerrin sticking closely to the originally composed melody line, and showing his skill as a lyric, if not full-voiced singer.
McFerrin's compositions, Grace, and Hoewdown are great pieces, bringing to light the virtuosity of the man's compositional skills. The ability to compose in a way that brings out the color of both instruments (voice and cello), and shows a diversity of sound and styles, is artfully displayed here.
On the less notable side, I was disappointed in Ave Maria, which has the staccato accompaniment performed by the vocals of McFerrin, and the melody by the cello. McFerrin is lacking in pitch accuracy, and while that is to be expected with such detached notes being sung in a widely varying succession of intervals and order, this piece should have been eliminated from the project. Ma is flawless in his execution, however.
I don't know that I would want to listen to a lot more recordings just like this, but being very much interested in crossover recordings and merging of styles, this album is charming and even has some very sophisticated musical moments.
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