Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey 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 evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including 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 evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
