I’ve heard “Bobby McFerrin can harmonize with himself” and how amazing it was but I realized I’d never heard him do it. So last night thanks to YouTube I did, and it sent me on a McFerrin journey that blasted my preconceptions about him right out of the water. I knew he was ridiculously skilled and that the bulk of his work was deeper and jazzier than “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” but I had no idea… Just no idea. If you have a few minutes to invest you will not be disappointed. Here are my favorites:

“Drive” This is the self-harmony example to end all. When I saw this I realized the pyrotechnics and flash of his virtuosity were completely integrated into his ability to MOVE the listener.

“By The Sea” I immediately forgot it was one man on this one, joy washes over this performance and into your ears.

“My Favorite Things” Spellbinding. Because it’s such a well known song you realize how very far he’s taking it outside the boundaries, but also how perfectly he keeps you grounded in the familiar. DUDE. I’m losing my cool here.

“Ave Maria” This could so easily be “watch how super-silly my skills are,” but he takes history and talent and community and rolls it into a giant tear-jerking heart-burster. WAAAA. Unbelievable.