R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful 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 show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
