Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions 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.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
