On Being Blog

  • Archive
  • RSS
  • Ask + we'll answer!
  • Get Published on the On Being Blog

“Playing” The Audience

by Andy Dayton, associate web producer

Nancy just sent around a link to this video of Bobby McFerrin presenting at the 2009 World Science Festival (we’re hoping they’ll also release video of Xavier Le Pichon’s presentation soon). I don’t really know much about McFerrin, but admittedly my impression of him in the past has been cynical — his late-80’s chart-topper “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” was always a little too earnest for my ears. But I was pleasantly surprised to see McFerrin give this simple, fun, and extremely effective demonstration of the universality of the pentatonic scale.

As it turns out, McFerrin’s been on our “big list” of potential guests for quite a while, but like our other music show ideas he’s never quite made it into the schedule. This video convinces me that I should probably rethink my impression of Bobby McFerrin, and the following quote makes me think he’s worth moving up on our list:

“Music for me is like a spiritual journey down into the depths of my soul. And I like to think we’re all on a journey into our souls. What’s down there? That’s why I do what I do.”
    • #bobby mcferrin
    • #music
    • #world science festival
    • #video
  • 2 years ago [Fri, Jul 31st, 2009 at 9:47am]
  • 7 notes
  • comments
  • Share

7 Notes/ Hide

  1. aflfootballimages liked this
  2. nothinfancy liked this
  3. thisisamap reblogged this from andyinabox and added:
    off, and while you’re at it, watch...and this. Bobby M....SO...
  4. kaeti liked this
  5. hungryghoast liked this
  6. andyinabox reblogged this from beingblog and added:
    “Bobby McFerrin” part scare you off...is awesome. SOF Observed:
  7. beingblog posted this

Recent comments

Blog comments powered by Disqus
← Previous • Next →

Portrait/Logo

About

On Being with Krista Tippett is a public radio project delving into the human side of news stories + issues. Curated + edited by senior editor Trent Gilliss.

We publish guest contributions. We edit long; we scrapbook. We do big ideas + deep meaning. We answer questions.

We've even won a couple of Webbys + a Peabody Award.

Our Social Spaces

  • @Beingtweets on Twitter
  • Facebook Profile
  • being on Vimeo
  • speakingoffaith on Youtube
  • speakingoffaith on Flickr
  • onbeing on Soundcloud

Following

Posts We Like

  • Photo via newshour

    The sails of the Sydney Opera House are illuminated as part of the Vivid Sydney festival of lights on Friday.

    (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

    Photo via newshour
  • Photo via imgfave
    Photo via imgfave
  • Photo via todaysdocument

    Women munition workers urge President to support suffrage bill. Six women war workers, representing thousands of others, were delegated to see...

    Photo via todaysdocument
  • Photo via themorningnews

    In her teens she questioned this view of her father and confronted her mother. Nazi descendants struggle with family history and social stigma.

    Photo via themorningnews
See more →
  • RSS
  • Random
  • Archive
  • Ask + we'll answer!
  • Get Published on the On Being Blog
  • Mobile

American Public Media. Effector Theme by Carlo Franco.

Powered by Tumblr