Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their set included covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
