R&B Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
