Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
