Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale 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 experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
