Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's 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 era of her peak success.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
