Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.
Then, deep 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 gave a deeply emotional moment. “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 command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
