Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.
Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured interpretations 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 concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
