Shaggy & Friends 2K10: Bigger, But....?

"Even up to 12 midnite, people still a buy ticket come in"

So noted conceptualiser-host-performer Shaggy at one point near the end of the renewal of his charity concert.

Even at a cursory glance, it did seem that Shaggy & Friends Dare to Care 2010 had managed to defy the economic odds and attract an even bigger crowd than its predecessor.

But Bigger is not necessarily better.

The show, which contrary to last year's edition, got off to a late start, ran smoothly thereafter, but as far as performance quality, it delivered only in spurts and never achieved the transcendence of the previous outing when a tone-deaf Elephant Man still held the audience rapt while "singing" and Macy Gray recovered after an initial lukewarm presentation.

There was a string of good, but not great performances: T.O.K.; Alaine; Ding Dong (Holiday was the nite's 1st high point), Shaggy himself - who opened - and others. In the early going, veteran Mykal Rose showed he still had it, even while doing his more current material ("Police and Thief") while later, another veteran, Toots Hibbert delivered what amounted to an extended vocal run on his signature tune 54-46 (That's My Number)

It took Trini soca superstar Machel Montano to really bring the Jamaica House crowd to life, and his brief onstage collaboration with Shaggy almost took the show to the level one was expecting.

Also giving good accounts of themselves were Baby Cham, Sanchez (though below his best) Busy Signal (his set lacked coherence)Ce'cile and Queen Ifrica, though it seemed her anti-incest track "Daddy (Don't Touch Me There" ) might have hit too close to home as there was a palpable dip in the energy level after that song went out.

Of the overseas acts, three proved one too many as Mario Winans proved that having a hit or two to one's credit does not a performer make. Joe was solid and his rendition of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" came off as sincere rather than patronizing as it has from other R& B acts in the past.

Boyz II Men went right back to the beginning opening with their first hit, the uptempo "Motownphilly" and following with a midtempo number before reverting to the tried and true. They did On Bended Knee Water Runs Dry, I'll make Love to You and End of the Road, tossing out roses to the ladies in the process.

The grounds was well laid out overall, but, as befitting the price tag, the large, open Diamond level skybox proved the best point in the house even if one was looking at the stage almost from a sideways vantage. Amenities were as good as last year(which means excellent), save for the odd sourpuss at the bar and there was a disappointing lack of knowledge and courtesy among many of the ushers

Overall the show satisfied and the persons who forked out for the cause would have left feeling that it was money well donated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUSOZAgl95A

BOYZ II MEN: STILL HAVING FUN GOING SLOW

“I still like to make people dance and party and have a good time, but the people have really responded to the ballads and the soul stuff so we’re gonna continue to do that primarily.”

So said Wanya Morris, of Boyz II Men, speaking by telephone ahead of their scheduled performance at the Shaggy & Friends Dare To Care on the lawns of Jamaica House tonight.

Though the group’s firsat major hit, “MotownPhilly” was an uptempo number (in the now classic New Jack Swing style), and their repertoire includes other notably dancy tunes such as “Can’t Let Her Go” it’s the ballads that have won the group renown and

Particularly it was their cover of G C Cameron’s Motown classic “So Hard to Say Goodbye To Yesterday” (from the 1975 movie Cooley High, a title which in fact inspired the title of their debut album, “Cooley High Harmony”). Three of the group’s number 1 hits, “End of the Road”, “I’ll Make Love To You”, and “One Sweet Day” (with Mariah Carey), all ballads, set and exceeded records for the longest period of time a single remained scored at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Their latest project, entitled simply “Love” is a covers album, but one which Wanya says, has some unexpected directions for the group. Instead of the stock R&B soul classics, the project features pop/rock hits by such artistes as Cyndi Lauper (‘Time After Time”), Chicago (“If You leave Me Now”) Goo Goo Dolls (“Iris”), Journey (‘Open Arms”) and others. Production was handled by Randy Jackson , of American Idol fame, who also worked with the group on previous cover project, “Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA”.

When brought up to speed on what the Shaggy & Friends show is about, Morris was quick to endorse the cause. “We’re definitely in support of anything that’s going to make a positive change in people’s lives, especially for the children.”

The group, now a trio ( a reunion featuring retired member Mike McCrary may be in the works) continues to record and to tour worldwide. Wanya has a special appreciation for Jamaica. “The people here really show us a lot of love, everybody’s warm and the vibe on our last appearances here has been just tremendous.”

Boyz II Men found fame as a quartet, with members Nathan Morris, Michael McCary, Shawn Stockman, and Wanya Morris on Motown Records during the early 1990s. In 2003, Michael McCary left the group due to chronic back problems resulting from scoliosis. As of 2009, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Nathan Morris continue to tour and record as a trio.

Based on sales, Boyz II Men is the most successful R&B male vocal group of all time. They recorded five number 1 R&B successes between 1992 and 1997 and have sold more than 60 million albums. Although “On Bended Knee” did not exceed any records, it was still a very popular song that reached number 1 and made Boyz II Men only the third act (behind The Beatles and Elvis) to replace themselves at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Their other hits include “Uuh Ahh”, “Four Seasons of Loneliness” “A Song For Mama” and “I Will Get There” (from the “Prince of Egypt” soundtrack).