Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly 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 grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching 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 harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
