Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance 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 night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
