Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak success.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
