Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
