Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their set included interpretations of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded 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 night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
