Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the concert turned to the holiday 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.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
