Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
