R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
