Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up 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 profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance 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
While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
