Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared 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, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
