As reported by Lauren Carter at the Boston Herald
It was a show that should have satisfied both sexes.
Thursday’s (January 7) BET Live! 106 & Park tour at the House of Blues featured two moderately successful stars who cater to slightly different sets: r & b crooner Mario and rap veteran Fabolous.
Mario wooed the female portion of the audience with earnest pleas and hip thrusts on such songs as “Let Me Love You,”“Music for Love” and the sultry “Crying Out for Me,” which featured a brief Jodeci interlude.
There was no real attempt at choreography, and his only backup dancer was an eager female who bum-rushed the stage during the bass-heavy set-closer, “Break Up.”
That song was a welcome departure from Mario’s suave brand of r & b, which quickly becomes monochromatic during a live show, even if his vocals remain appealing.
Wearing all black and sunglasses, Mario offered a major stylistic departure from oversexed opener Pretty Ricky. He played a gentlemanly role, indulging in themes of romance and unrequited love. For “I Choose You,” he plucked a woman out of the audience - a woman who was crying and struggling to breathe - and apparently fulfilled her lifelong dream by serenading her for four minutes.
Like Mario, Fabolous had a live band and performed for about an hour, sticking to the essentials of live performance while avoiding unnecessary indulgences. But unlike Mario, his appeal wasn’t heavily slanted in favor of the ladies.
From opener “My Time,” Fab’s set was a workmanlike exercise in the fundamentals of a good rap show: compelling songs, audible, crisp lyrics and a minimum of clutter and gaudy jewelry.
There were no hordes of hangers-on sipping alcohol in the shadows. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native was joined onstage only by his brother, Paul Cain, and rapper Red Cafe, who appeared during “I’m Ill” and “There He Go.”
The lanky rapper’s set was a virtual stream of hits, including “Can’t Deny It” and “Into You,” along with tracks on which he’s provided guest rap services,including Lil’ Mo’s “Superwoman” and the remix of USDA’s “White Girl.”
Older songs blended well with selections from his latest album, “Loso’s Way,” including the ominous “Lullaby” and show-closer “Throw It in the Bag” - both original and remix versions - which seemed to satisfy everyone in the not-quite full house.
More fan shot footage below.
