R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing 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.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, 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 Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
