Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
