Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.
