Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured covers of influences, such as a memorable 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 evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended 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 evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
