Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties

This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.