Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Moving Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
