Listen, I stopped by Powell Symphony Hall to relive my 90s by way of Boyz II Men– and got my whole entire life in the process. I haven’t been so fanatical over them since they opened for M.C. Hammer at The Arena back in ‘91. Yes, while y’all were all up on Jodeci, I was team MotownPhilly for life. Based on how the folks cut up (in a good way) in that fancy concert hall that is reserved for Bach and Brahms and ‘nem, I’m clearly not the only one. I have been to Powell Hall more times than I can count. And I can say with authority that I’ve never seen grown women try to rush that stage before Shawn, Nate and Wanya made their Powell Hall debut Thursday night. When the Symphony Orchestra started playing the intro for “I’ll Make Love To You,” the girls lost it and sprinted towards the stage like somebody was chasing them. It was the Boyz II Men version of Beatlemania – just one example of the magic that happened when R&B harmony and the brilliant musicianship of St. Louis Symphony joined forces. I was banking on having a good time on the strength of the orchestral accompaniment for “Water Runs Dry” and “On Bended Knee” alone. But there was life to be had all night long from the moment they graced the stage. Shout out to all the wonderful musicians and IN UNISON director Kevin McBeth, who conducted for the night. In related news, did y’all know that the general population gets all sentimental when they hear “A Song For Mama?” I thought that only black folks knew about the go to “get all the way in your feelings and raw emotional about your mama/grandmama/god mama/play mama” song for Generation X. Don’t you dare judge me. I didn’t know the “Soulfood” soundtrack was a mainstream crossover. And y’all know those “End of the Road” harmonies, don’t y’all? The only messy thing I have to say is that I kept wondering if Wanya would still be able to sing if his hands or neck had a cramp. That arm, finger, face, neck and shoulder choreography that came with every note leads me to say no.
