R&B Christmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasnโt Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. โFor as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,โ she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Marsโs Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, Iโll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
