Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
