Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened 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 live band.
Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece 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 theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
