Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
