Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
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 somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Finally, 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 Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
