Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood 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.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.