R&B Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood 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 evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
