Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned 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 emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
The Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
