R&B Christmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas 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 evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
