Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
The Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions 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
While the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
