R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “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 command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
