R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
