Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s

The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful 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 backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included interpretations of influences, 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 Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.