Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “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 emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
