R&B Christmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her performance, 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 gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For 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 grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful 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 feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.
