Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
