Critic Jonni: Boney M.

Rivers of Babylon - Boney M. |

More of my Birmingham Pride Special, and here is a true classic. Boney M. previously appeared at Birmingham Pride back in 2015 and proved to be extremely popular; so, it's no wonder there is a massive buzz about them returning for Birmingham Pride 2017. However, they are definitely not a current artist and one who hasn't had a hit single since the 90's. Whenever anyone mentions their name, instantly their Christmas song "Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord" is thought of; however, this song also rose to the top of the UK Singles Chart. Both this song and their Christmas song are UK number ones and they were extremely popular back then. Watch Boney M. perform on a platform whilst clouds roll behind them during this music video for their number one song "Rivers of Babylon".

Boney M. were a four-piece German group who had incredible success in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. They consisted of Liz Mitchell, Marcia Barrett, Maizie Williams, and Bobby Farrell. Ther have been various line-ups since, and it is unknown what line-up will appear at Birmingham Pride 2017, what we do know is that Bobby Farrell sadly passed away back in 2010, so we're not sure how Boney M. will perform without him. What we do know is that Maizie Williams will definitely be in attendance, since they are quotes as Boney M. Featuring Maizie Williams. This song hit number one back in 1978, and as the song slowly fell in the UK Chart, radio decided to play the b-side "Brown Girl In The Ring", which became a hit in its own right, making this single shoot back up to number two on the UK Chart. The song was originally recorded by Jamaican reggae group The Melodians in 1970; Boney M. made the song popular in Europe. It was written by Brent Dowe, Trevor McNaughton, Frank Farian, and Reyam.

There isn't much to this music video, but what do we really expect from a 70's music video? It's a pure performance visual with all four group members giving it their usual Boney M. energy.

There is clearly a green-screen behind them, as they float through the sky. Clouds drift past them in the background, yet it doesn't faze them and they perform like they're on any normal stage.

This is why they proved popular at Birmingham Pride back in 2015, because they ooze energy whenever they perform, and no one can deny that they have amazing voices - their harmonies are on point throughout this song. However, as with many music videos released way back then, the visual fails to keep us entertained, and it all just looks the same. There are also problems with lip-syncing throughout, which just makes this even worse to watch.

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Every year I hear this song around Christmas time. My Mother used to be obsessed with this group when she was younger, and every year this is played on the music channels, she sings it. I actually can't believe this was released in 1978, and it's still included on Christmas albums. It's one of the UK's biggest selling Christmas singles, yet it doesn't continue to chart every year like other Christmas songs. Boney M. have donned Eskimo coats in front of a white screen for this festive Christmas music video.

Boney M., for those of you who don't know, were a group formed in Germany consisting of, at the time, Liz Mitchell, Marcia Barrett, Maizie Williams and Bobby Farrell. The latter's vocals was rarely used in the groups songs, and instead, producer, Frank Farian's voice was used, with Bobby Farrell lip-syncing in performances. They were an international hit, charting well in Germany, Sweden and the UK. They didn't do too well in the US, but that is one market many fail to break. This song was written by Jester Hairston, Frank Farian, Fred Jay and Lorin. It is a cover version of Harry Belafonte's hit song "Mary's Boy Child", only with a new melody, hence the mashup with Oh My Lord, which was a song written for Boney M. It hit number one in the UK, and stayed there for four weeks.

The music video isn't all that interesting, and the simple lyrics makes it obvious as to why it charted so high in that year.

The video is a pure performance piece, but if all they are going to do is sway from side to side, who would want to see them live?

It is a ballad type of song, and by the looks of things they didn't have much time to create this music video. On the other hand, there is nothing to this video, I feel that this could be easy to replicate and none of the singers perform as if the song means anything to them. They look like carol singers, or people performing at a karaoke competition. Their vocals are good, but this video doesn't do the song any justice.

Overall I feel nothing for this music video, there's just nothing to it. As for the song, it's simple, but catchy, and their harmonies are perfect. It's not surprising that they became an international hit.