Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads 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, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
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 responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
