Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Powerful Performance
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 anchored in the era of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.