Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set included interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
