Needless to say, if you don’t like “Motownphilly,” we probably can’t be friends. Granted, Boyz II Men may have not have been relevant for a decade and change, but I’ll stand by the statement that no group got more Junior High kids tongue during the years 1991-1994 than the Illadelphian vocal quartet. Real talk. Currently, the group are back on the touring circuit minus Michael McCary (a.k.a., the guy with the really deep voice that sang the interludes) and play LA’s Crash Mansion tomorrow night. Sadly, I won’t be there for it. However, I did write a preview of the show for the LA Weekly, one that analyzes the history of the male vocal group post Cooleyhighharmony. Yes, it mentions Silk, H-Town, Jodeci and Color Me Badd. If that doesn’t entice you over there, I don’t know what will.
LA Weekly: Boyz II Men-A Philadelphia Story
MP3: Boyz II Men-”Motownphilly”
14 comments
douglas martin says:
February 1, 2008 at 2:10 am (UTC -7)
a few points:
a. for starters, how do you tour without the man who used to start every single of their interludes with the word “baby”? bad move, fellas. i mean, you can’t expect wanya morris to carry EVERY show.
b. weiss, i totally agree with you; jodeci is really the only group that could hold a candle to boyz II men. maybe it’s the north carolinian pride in me, but i’d venture to say jodeci had better songs.
c. shai may have bit boyz II men’s style, but “if i ever fall” IS STILL FUCKING CRAZY! i still rock that song every now and again.
d. lou pearlman was a damn genius: “okay, guys. how about we take boyz II men, and MAKE THEM WHITE!?!?! WE’LL MAKE A FORTUNE!!!”
heather says:
February 1, 2008 at 6:48 am (UTC -7)
Marry me?
Disco Vietnam says:
February 1, 2008 at 10:04 am (UTC -7)
ALL-4-ONE!
jeffro says:
February 1, 2008 at 12:05 pm (UTC -7)
anyone who can listen to “Motownphilly” and not start either grooving or humming/singing along is dead inside.
Passion of the Weiss says:
February 1, 2008 at 3:01 pm (UTC -7)
Yes it mentions, All 4-One too. I swear.
Mouse says:
February 1, 2008 at 3:54 pm (UTC -7)
Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling abort the Boyz II Men fetus.
Mouse says:
February 1, 2008 at 3:55 pm (UTC -7)
Durp!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JiTpagDP7k
Rebecca says:
February 1, 2008 at 4:06 pm (UTC -7)
sometimes they hit Clippers games to do the national anthem. dude still rocks the cane. it’s hot!
Rebecca says:
February 1, 2008 at 4:25 pm (UTC -7)
Email exchange with my brother, Mathew Jannol, 3:22, PST:
You should tell Jeff Weiss about how they sang the National Anthem at the Clipper Game last season.
Becca (joking): “Hey, it’s Boyz II Men!”
Mathew: Becca, that really is Boyz II Men. Look at the scoreboard.”
Catfish says:
February 1, 2008 at 4:41 pm (UTC -7)
Amazing. That article took precisely as long to read as one time through Motownphilly. Right on dude!
Bruce says:
February 1, 2008 at 8:34 pm (UTC -7)
Hey from Philly! Nice piece, nice props. Made me want to pull out my old Guy records. You’re right on about Jodeci, and while it’s been a while since I listened I gotta tell you K-Ci and Jojo nailed the cover of Bobby Womack’s “If You Think You’re Lonely Now.” Great song. Great voices. Thanks for the blasts from the past.
moya says:
February 2, 2008 at 12:08 pm (UTC -7)
…Several years later, half the group will get lost on the way to a concert and unwittingly form Ruff Endz.
Best line ever
Slav says:
February 3, 2008 at 2:01 am (UTC -7)
Jodeci, Boyz II Men. Greatness. ‘Nuff said. Proppers.
Steve says:
February 7, 2008 at 12:15 pm (UTC -7)
They weren’t too hard, they weren’t too soft.