R&B Xmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For 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, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
