Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly 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 command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
