R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.
