R&B Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
