Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her set, 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 deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of influences, such as a memorable 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 performances 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.
Final Thoughts
While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
