R&B Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply 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, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
