R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set included interpretations of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
