Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
