Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued 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 never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
While the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
