Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
