Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored 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 live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
