Christmas really is around the corner, and what better voices to hear at the holiday season than the four that make up Boyz II Men. Wanya Morris, 19, Shawn Stockman, 20, Michael McCary, 21, and Nathan Morris, 22, are just about ready for snow flakes, fruitcakes, and eggnog with the release of Christmas Interpretations. Is this the follow-up to their multi-platinum Cooleyhighharmony?
No one's really saying no. They're not saying yes, either. Christmas Interpretations was to be an all-Christmas album, that is, with carols and other traditional music heard during the holiday season. But the inside word is that not all the songs are meant for Yuletide festivities, virtually ensuring a longer shelf life for the album/CD and indeed, more radio play, long after you toss out that old, dried up tree.
So Christmas Interpretations, which among others have singer Brian McKnight on the production end, is not the crucial sophmore album that fans and critics are awaiting from the Philadelphia four. However, it has created qutie a buzz. It seems ever sinve fans first heard "Motownphilly," they couldn't get enough of the group. And of course more hits followed, including "Please Don't Go," "Uhh Ahh," "Sympin'," and "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday." The song's mournful lyrics took on personal meaning for the group, when they performed it at the funeral of their road manager Khalil Roundtree, about a year ago.
Every award the group recieved after that, they dedicated to their fallen hero, their idol, their friend. It seems like he was always with them, when mentor Michael Bivins was present, and especially in his absence. And as if driven by the loss, performances by Boyz II Men were simply more spirited after that.
When the chance to record a track for the Boomerang Soundtrack came up, Boyz II Men grabbed it. It was an opportunity to work on music for a film that would star one of the biggest names at the box office, Eddie Murphy. It was also a chance to be on a project that included Keith Washington, P.M. Dawn, Shanice, TLC, Damian Dame, Highland Place Mobsters, where Dallas Austin, who handled most of the production on Cooleyhighharmony was a member. It was also the chance to work with Babyface, who performed on the album and would write and produce a track for the group with partners L.A. Reid, and Darryl Simmons that would forever change music history.
The track was "End of the Road," and when it was released it made its way to the top of the national music charts and stayed at the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot Singles chart for 13 consecutive weeks. That reign crushed the previous record held by no other than the late Elvis Presley.
So much accomplished in a short period. But for Boyz II Men, except for the aforementioned tragedy, career wise it's been uphill all the way. Ever since meeting Michael Bivins and obtaining a record deal with Motown Records, everything they touch turns to platnium. Not bad for four young men, who remember sining for anything and anywhere for attention.
It seems unfair, that after a succes there is so much pressure for a repeat. So far Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls have been the only ones in recent history to ignore pressure and just win, every time. They dunked pressure right in the face and made it a "trepeat." But does it work the same in music? No one who's heard them sing doubts that Boyz II Men can do it again.
Christmas Interpretations, is a teaser, an appetizer for this season. The soulful renditions here will no doubt meake their way into your permanent collection. Look for the real second album from Boyz II Men in the early part of '94. It's gonna be a warm, soulful season.