Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing 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, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show 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 evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
