R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
