Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
