Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions 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.
Overall Thoughts
While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
