Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme 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 Impressions
Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
