Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
