R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature 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 awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their set featured covers of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions 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 technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
