Eddie Murphy - Eddie Murphy & How Could It Be & So Happy (1982-1989)

Eddie Murphy is one of those people who was obviously going to be a huge star from the very beginning. The Long Island, NY-born comedian was a nationwide sensation by the time he was 21. He exploded as the breakout star on Saturday Night Live during the lean early-'80s years when the show faced the daunting task of rebuilding after the classic original cast had left to pursue movie stardom, which Murphy would ultimately do as well. Despite Murphy's gifts, his first standup comedy album, 1982's Eddie Murphy, is uneven despite containing some classic routines. Eddie Murphy was recorded at The Comic Strip in New York City between April 30 and May 1, 1982. "Buckwheat" riffs on his memorable SNL character and expands it to sarcastically note that blacks aren't named for specific breakfast cereals. "Black Movie Theaters," "Talking Cars," and "Myths/A Little Chinese" are based on various racial stereotypes -- not exactly politically correct, but very funny. "Doo-Doo/Christmas Gifts" features Murphy's musings on how fathers get shafted when they receive cheap Christmas presents. The hysterical "Drinking Fathers" is loaded with belly laughs -- and a horrifying, underlying look at working-class alcoholism. The manic "Hit By a Car" is the best, most clever segment as Murphy explodes into overdrive. Comics often include novelty songs on their albums, and so does Murphy -- with average results. "Boogie in Your Butt" weaves Murphy's spoken and semi-rap vocals, but the best part is the funky bassline. "Enough Is Enough" is a parody of 1979's chart-topping Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer duet "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)," with Murphy once again recreating Buckwheat and imitating effeminate fitness guru Richard Simmons. For a perfect comedy classic, you have to jump one year ahead to 1983's Eddie Murphy: Comedian, but Eddie Murphy is a promising start.

In 1985, movie star and influential live comedian Eddie Murphy took a risk and released a serious, all-music effort. Despite his best intentions, How Could It Be is often marred by its lack of great material, and Murphy's voice is thin and often lacking control. Although Murphy's will is strong, at this point he didn't possess the chops. The best thing about How Could It Be is his distillation of influences and established artists who assumed production and writing duties. "C-O-N Confused" nicely updates the mid-'70s Al Green up-tempo Memphis sound. The poignant title ballad has Murphy mining genuine drama. "Party All the Time," written and produced by Rick James, has Murphy simply along for the ride, benefiting from one of James' best synth-based hooks. Some of the other songs aren't so successful. The well-meaning, vaguely Beatlesque pop of "My God Is Colorblind" and the jazzy and pensive "I Wish I Could Tell You When" essentially fail due to the vocals. Murphy brings out the heavy artillery to close the album out. Stevie Wonder, who produced and wrote "Do I," also gave Murphy a true gem, "Everything's Coming Up Roses." The track has Murphy sounding more polished, and would have been more than comfortable on Wonder's In Square Circle. How Could It Be does offer some solid tracks, but more often it displays a singer with potential and not much more.

So Happy is the second musical studio album by comedian/singer, Eddie Murphy. The album was released on March 29, 1989, on Columbia Records and was produced by Murphy, Nile Rodgers and Larry Blackmon.[1] It was not a critical or commercial success, but still managed to reach #70 on the Billboard 200 and #22 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Two singles were released: "Put Your Mouth on Me", which made it to #2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, and "Till the Money's Gone", which only made it to #75 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks. Put your Mouth on Me also squeaked into the top 40 in August 1989.