R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her performance, 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 profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
