Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.