Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
The Powerful Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.
Then, deep into her set, 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 gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured interpretations of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
