Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.