Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
However, nine songs 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 delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their set featured interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
