Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
