Living Room Dance Party #6

There are a few musicians I love so much that I absolutely gush about them - for example, every blasted time I teach a student about Beethoven, I have to choke back tears.  And every time I mention Bobby McFerrin or Yo-Yo Ma I either start proselytizing or grab my violin and try to make my own musical magic.  I respect and adore these two musicians for so many reason that if I started listing them we'd be here all day.  My personal opinion is that every parent needs to own a copy of their 1992 collaboration Hush.

McFerrin has developed his voice as an elastic, incredible instrument and matches the tone and beauty of one of Ma, one of the greatest cellists of all time (a child prodigy who got his degree in Humanities from Harvard because he wanted he wanted to truly understand the music he played... swoon!).  This album is soothing, exciting, amusing and wonderful.  You want to create a sweet atmosphere in your home?  Let this album be the soundtrack.  And if you want to dance, Hush Little Baby is something you (and your wee ones) will want to kick up their heels to.  Here's a live clip I found (joined by Mark O' Connor and Edgar Meyer - two musicians who I also adore who will also be appearing repeatedly as Living Room Dance Party artists) so you can watch the joy and genius in action.



Also on the album, is a whimsical and awesome version of a Bach Musette.  As a kid, my brother and would listen to it and take turns lip/bow syncing the parts of the pompus announcer/vocalist and rockin' cellist - now I've started WonderGirl in on the tradition and we pretend to be the performers together.  There are so many silly and dramatic sounds to imitate!  I'm sure your little ones will love acting it out too.