Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
