Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared 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 impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances 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.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.