R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances 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 Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
