Medicine Music Explained

Medicine Music
Type:studio
Artist:Bobby McFerrin
Cover:BobbyMcFerrin-MedicineMusic-Cover.jpg
Released:1990
Genre:Vocal, jazz
Length:48:55
Language:English
Label:EMI[1]
Producer:Bobby McFerrin[2]
Prev Title:How the Rhino Got His Skin/How the Camel Got His Hump
Prev Year:1990
Next Title:Play
Next Year:1992

Medicine Music is a studio album by Bobby McFerrin, released in 1990.[3] [4] The album reached number 146 on the Billboard 200 and number 2 on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.[5] [6]

The album was nominated for a 1991 Grammy Award, in the "Best Contemporary Jazz Performance" category.[7]

Production

Voicestra, a 10-member a capella group formed by McFerrin, and Robert McFerrin, Bobby's father, appear on the album.[8] "Common Threads" served as the theme song to the documentary .[8] McFerrin wrote all of the songs on Medicine Music.[9] The lyrics to "Discipline" are based on several verses of the chapter Hebrews 12 from the New Testament, while the lyrics to "The 23rd Psalm" are based on Psalm 23 from the Old Testament.[10]

Critical reception

The Los Angeles Times wrote that "McFerrin sings splendidly, his intonation never faltering as he goes from throbbing bass notes to a soaring, light falsetto."[2] The Austin American-Statesman wrote that "McFerrin's penchant for unusual vocal innovation is present throughout the album, but it is the songs without words, nominally called instrumentals in the McFerrin musical universe, that are the most challenging."[11]

Track listing

All music and lyrics composed by Bobby McFerrin; ©ProbNoblem Music/BMI - except "The 23rd Psalm" (Music: Bobby McFerrin/English text arranged by Bobby McFerrin; ©ProbNoblem Music/BMI)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bobby McFerrinMedicine Music (EMI) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)McFerrin may have.... Chris. Heim. chicagotribune.com.
  2. Web site: BOBBY McFERRIN "Medicine Music" EMI. October 28, 1990. Los Angeles Times.
  3. Web site: Bobby McFerrin | Biography & History. AllMusic.
  4. Web site: Bobby McFerrin's Medicine Music. EW.com.
  5. Bobby McFerrin. Billboard.
  6. Bobby McFerrin. Billboard.
  7. Web site: Bobby McFerrin. November 23, 2020. GRAMMY.com.
  8. News: The Pop Life. Stephen. Holden. The New York Times . November 21, 1990.
  9. News: Bentoff . Jeff . Good 'Medicine' Singer McFerrin happy with new direction . Milwaukee Sentinel . 23 Nov 1990 . Feature . 16.
  10. Web site: MCFERRIN SHINES FORTH BY DANCING TO MUSIC WITHIN . Karen Boren . Swedin . January 30, 1991 . Deseret News.
  11. News: Point . Michael . McFerrin gets back to his basics . Austin American-Statesman . 29 Nov 1990 . Onward . 19.