Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.
