Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured 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 Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
