Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: An Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, 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 tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured 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 Dash of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.