Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “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, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
