AS an artiste, you know you’ve won a crowd over by the intensity of screams and applause. And for the recent Boyz II Men concert at the Plenary Hall in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the world’s premiere R&B group certainly had the crowd in the palms of its three members’ hands from the minute they stepped onstage.
Loud and shrill screams reverberated across the packed 3,000 seating capacity hall throughout the 90-minute show, which saw baritone Nathan Morris, as well as tenors Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman easily winning over fans with their easy-going charm, comedic chops and soulful voices.
Touted as the best-selling R&B vocal group of all time, having won four Grammys, nine American Music Awards, nine Soul Train Awards and three Billboard Awards with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to boot, Boyz II Men’s talent was certainly present for all to see and hear in the Shiraz Projects-organised concert.
With the backing of a live four-man band, the trio of 40-somethings from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the US kicked the show off with their first single, the upbeat Motownphilly, which started the phenomenon that was Boyz II Men in 1991.
From then on it was a solid setlist of the group’s most recognisable hits songs of love and heartbreak.
The vocal harmonies were clear and well-blended and the moving melodies a joy to listen to as they performed their No. 1 hit singles from their debut album, CooleyHighHarmony, which consisted of Uhh Ahh, It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday and On Bended Knee, with the latter seeing Shawn showcasing a series of falsetto endings lasting about a minute that delighted fans.
Before that, Shawn had told the crowd to leave their worries and troubles outside and to just have a good time in the hall — and they certainly delivered on that note.
After an inspired rendition of another classic track, 4 Seasons Of Loneliness, the three switched gears for the middle portion of the concert.
Showcasing a different side to the group, the members proceeded to perform a set of edgier cover tunes as soon as Shawn strapped on a Flying V electric guitar and Nathan took on electric bass guitar duties.
The medley of sorts ranged from Lenny Kravitz’s rocking Are You Gonna Go My Way and The Beatles’ Come Together to Bob Marley & The Wailers’ groovy Jamming, The Guess Who’s American Woman and the poppy Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars, with whom Boyz II Men supported last year on the star’s 24K Magic Tour. Wanya certainly rocked the stage the most with his slick moves and danced his way into the hearts of fans.
By this time the crowd were even more psyched up with shouts of “I love you” ringing out. The concert then returned its focus to Boyz II Men’s material with winning renditions of Water Runs Dry, The Colour Of Love and Doin’ Just Fine further priming fans for the impending climax.
But before that, the group performed the group’s tribute hit single, A Song For Mama, which Wanya dedicated to “the most beautiful woman in all of our lives.”
What followed was one of the group’s most loved tunes, I’ll Make Love To You, from the sophomore album II.
This one sure hit the spot with the audience as the three also started distributing roses to the appreciative fans both from the stage and down on the ground. Many rushed to the front to receive some love from the singers and to take selfies as well.
Next was another mega hit tune, One Sweet Day, from American diva Mariah Carey which featured Boyz II Men. This was a song which the group had only started performing live about 18 months ago and it was much appreciated by the audience, even with the absence of Mariah.
The women in the crowd did not need much prodding from the three to stand in for Mariah’s vocal parts. Most in the crowd had already been singing along to the various songs during the concert anyway.
The concert, which was part of the trio’s Boyz II Men — Tour Of Asia run, came to a rousing and bittersweet end with End Of The Road, probably its most recognisable tune to even non-fans. Before performing the tune Wanya explained that they had gone through many challenges over the years in their three-decade career.
“Over the years we’ve gained some things,” he said, gesturing towards his bulging belly. “And we’ve lost some things as well. Damn it, I used to have hair, man,” he further quipped.
“There were times when we thought of quitting. We broke up five times. But only for five minutes each time,” he added with a smile.
Absence sure makes the heart fonder as the saying goes and the crowd was certainly an enthusiastic bunch that night. The last time Boyz II Men were in Malaysia, it was 2007.
“We hope to come back soon,” shouted Shawn before the three left the stage.
By the end of the Asia tour, Boyz II Men would have also performed in Jakarta, Bangkok, Singapore, Manila and Seoul.
During a brief meet with the Press before the concert the three explained that since growing older they have learnt to enjoy the places they travelled to much more, and Malaysia was one of the best for them.
“We enjoy the energy of the beautiful people here. They’ve been so nice and polite to us,” said Nathan.
“Our fan base here is fantastic, ranging from 12 to 60, which is a reflection of our music that’s about love,” he added.
From its meaningful lyrical content to its moving melodies and soulful delivery, the music of Boyz II Men will endure and hopefully, the trio will indeed come back soon.