Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing 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 stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on 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, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of influences, 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 Cheer
Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas 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.
Overall Impressions
While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
