Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
