Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began 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 reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of hits 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 sense at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.
