In the beginning, there was the Voice. Then came the chair and the bottle of water. In the end came the microphone in order for the Voice to be heard by millions.
Last night I’ve witnessed something divine. Or actually, you don’t really have to be divine in order to attract so many people (watch out Jesus!). That was proven by a simple man that walked the stage of the Palace Hall, last night in Bucharest.
It’s the first time I listen to Bobby McFerrin live, although he visited Romania in 2005 also. But I think this is the best experience I’ve ever had. This is the kind of concert that makes you really feel good and apreciate music and artists at their true value. It was not that kind of a concert where an international known artist come to play his program, backed up by numerous instruments amplified by thousand of watts, say a few words in the local language and then goes home without putting any feeling in it.
Well, first you get strucked by his voice. Man, this guy has an incredible voice. He goes down and down and suddenly goes way up, 2 octaves or more in a perfect pitch. And that, for his first impression that took about 10 minutes. Well, 10 minutes it’s a lot even in a choir where you are backed up by your coleagues, but all by yourself, believe me, it’s not that easy. Especially when you are improvising which is the most difficult way of singing.
The numerous techniques of singing make you wonder and smile while you watch and listen to his way of throat singing and chest clapping. Then, all of the sudden, you are invited to sing as well. That’s the nicest trick. You pay, you sing, and you’re very happy with it. Because you feel special when you sing alongside Bobby McFerrin. I always wondered how is it that every audience has a good voice? I mean, every time he does his tricks with Ave Maria, Bach, or Bolero, when he sings the rhythm part and the audience sings the theme part, you can cleary hear that he people have voices. It’s true that many musicians attend his concerts but still.
About 3000 people attended this concert. At first I thought that I could choose to sit wherever I wanted but to my amaze the Palace Hall was quite full. Although we still suffer from the communist syndrome (I’m reffering to the constant clapping which is very annoying) a lot of talented people were there and that made a great show.
Before letting the images speak for themself I have to say that I think this was the first time when I saw someone dedicating his life to music. For a lot of artists, beside music, image is sometimes more important than music itself. Taking care of yourself instead of exploring and “dressing” your voice to perfection will mearly make you a star addored only by those who maybe would like you more for your clothes, but never being able to achieve the highest levels of music interpretation and understanding.
There was actually a sad thing afterall. Bobby McFerrin is getting old. This year he’ll be 60 years. If you see him without hearing him you would probably see only an old person. But here’s the surprise. Bobby McFerrin kept his young and ambitious spirit all these years. And the voice is still there after all this time. It’s unbelievable! Most of the singers who reach this age have two options. Either they quit or they go sing in a curch choir or amatour choir where voice perfection is not required.
Enjoy the photos!
Not only singers from the audience came on stage next to Bobby. He also called several dancers. Well, this was something interesting. He told people to dance and he would provide the “soundtrack”. It was quite amazing how McFerrin could tell what kind of dance was right for each person. He could read through the people. And the first impression was very cool because a ballerina start dancing while Bobby sanged something to match the dance. Then came another girl who began to dance something with more rhythm which suited her best, and so on. Even with the little girl and the high pitch sounds were a perfect combination.
Three romanian musicians were called on stage to play alongside Bobby McFerrin. Cristinel Turturica at cimbalon, Ionica Minune at the accordion and a bass player. We were a bit afraid not to turn into something more like a wedding music (as we are used) but it was indeed a great performance and the dedication to Bobby McFerrin was a surprise to all. “Don’t Worry Be Happy” in the fiddlers style.
Not only singers from the audience came on stage next to Bobby. He also called several dancers. Well, this was something interesting. He told people to dance and he would provide the “soundtrack”. It was quite amazing how McFerrin could tell what kind of dance was right for each person. He could read through the people. And the first impression was very cool because a ballerina start dancing while Bobby sanged something to match the dance. Then came another girl who began to dance something with more rhythm which suited her best, and so on. Even with the little girl and the high pitch sounds were a perfect combination.
Three romanian musicians were called on stage to play alongside Bobby McFerrin. Cristinel Turturica at cimbalon, Ionica Minune at the accordion and a bass player. We were a bit afraid not to turn into something more like a wedding music (as we are used) but it was indeed a great performance and the dedication to Bobby McFerrin was a surprise to all. “Don’t Worry Be Happy” in the fiddlers style.
In the improvised choir called on stage by Bobby McFerrin I could see also people from Sound Choir and The Radio Childrens Choir.
In the end, Bobby return to the stage not to sing but to get more acquainted with the audience. Well, that kind of moments are to be more appreciated but we still don’t have enough concert education. The audience requested more songs than taking advantage and ask him a question. I don’t know at how many concerts, artist come to the stage and sit down and talk to you. That’s quite unique. I really do hope that it will happen again, Bobby McFerrin concerting again in Bucharest that is.
Great post! He is an authentic Master.
Thanks a lot!
Hi!
This is a great concert review with really good photos, too! Congrats and thanks.
I like your "communist syndrome" comment, i hear you! 🙂 I'm Hungarian, so i know what you're talking about… 🙂 (Clap-clap-clap…)
Best regards from the neighbourhood.
Oh, just one more thing…
Believe it or not, i find this "old man" very attractive, though i'm 30. I don't think that i'm alone with this. 🙂
Thanks for the visit and comment. I love Bobby also. He's just great and you can learn a lot from his concerts. But if you're from Hungary, maybe you should check the annual choral festival held in Debrecen. Great vocal names come there to concert. Been there with a choir several times.