Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest success.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
