Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.