Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: An Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
