R&B Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme 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 Impressions
Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
