Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Powerful Set
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 backing band appeared 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 never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance included interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
