Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.