Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits 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 past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
