“Bobby McFerrin – Lyrical and Spiritual” – DownBeat, July 2013

Bobby McFerrin at sound check, Adelphi University. Photo by Adam McCullough

After years of singing mostly songs without words, or in improvised languages of his own invention, Bobby McFerrin has returned to singing the type of songs in which the lyrics are as essential as the music, with words that express his deepest yearnings: spirituals. In my interview with McFerrin, he talks about his early career and influences, why he considers himself a “folk” musician, and the process of creating his new album spirityouall.