R&B Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak success.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
