Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: An Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
