Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-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 responsive to their live band.
Their set included covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions 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
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
