R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
