R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Moving Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “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 hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.
