Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted 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 not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.