Track Listing

1. Invocation
2. Kalimba Suite
3. Silken Road
4. Fertile Field
5. Dervishes
6. Ziggurat
7. Sisters
8. Circlings
9. Chanson
10. Windows
11. Marlowe
12. Mass
13. Pat And Joe
14. Taylor Made
15. Piece A Chord
16. Monks/The Shepherd

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78776 in Music
• Released on: 2002-03-11
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Vocalist Bobby McFerrin, best known for his pop hit, "Don't Worry, Be Happy," is a talented vocalist and all-around musician. Beyond Words is a true reflection of his genius, and it takes jazz fusion to another level. Joining McFerrin is the great pianist Chick Corea, with Gil Goldstein on accordion, Cameroonian bassist Richard Bona, Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista, and drummer Omar Hakim. Their music is a 21st-century blend of Return to Forever and Weather Report. McFerrin's superhuman vocalese investigates and invigorates a number of musical genres. Corea's spellbinding piano motifs grace the calypso-like "Invocation". McFerrin and Corea turn in a beautiful duet version of the pianist's waltzing jazz standard, "Windows". "A Silk Road" and "Desert Field" are laced with Afro-Eurasian and Arabic colors. Bona's Jaco Pastorius-influenced bass lines anchor the hip-hop oriented "Taylor Made", named for McFerrin's son, whose human beat-box vocals pepper the track. Bobby McFerrin's voice sings, scats and constructs a musical language that's understood by everyone. --Eugene Holley Jr.

CD Description
Singer Bobby McFerrin is one of the most unique figures in contemporary music. His forays into jazz, classical, pop, and ethnic music make him one of the most diverse performers of his generation. On BEYOND WORDS the singer teams up with asuperior ensemble of musicians to present 16 tracks of hopeful, uplifting music.
As you might expect, BEYOND WORDS is a cornucopia of ethereal sounds and genre combinations. The only "standard" tune on the album is Chick Corea's "Windows". McFerrin and the composer himself team up on this piece,and the interaction between them is full of rich chemistry and spontaneity. Other tracks such as "Kalimba Suite" evoke an African feel, undoubtedly fueled by Cameroonian bass player Richard Bona. There are no lyrics on the record (at leastnone that are discernable); McFerrin's approach to singing here is similar to some of his earlier efforts, layering numerous vocal tracks on top of one another, creating brilliantwashes and punchy syllabic grooves.

Customer Reviews

A must for any music lover
It's not often that a title accurately suggests the content of a cd but on this occasion Beyond Words is very fitting. The Amazon review sums up this recording perfectly. This is a true multi -cultural treat. Listen to it on decent hi-fi equipment rather than your ipod for the full effect. The line-up suggests real quality and none of the musicians disappoint. Exceptional.

Beyond Words
True Bobby McFerrin original style! Some lovely passages that are unfortunately way too short! The longer tracks are 'split' into different styles, starting off melodiously, full of feeling and atmosphere, then changing to improvisation and a jazzy feel. It would have been good to know this before I purchased the cd. The 30 secs or so you can get to hear online are not really representative of the cd as they give a misleading idea of the kind of music which is on it.