Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success.
Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “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, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of hits 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 overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
