Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
