R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
