Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Set
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “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 grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
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, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.
