Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The Moving Set
The opening 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 backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
