Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Powerful Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
