Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
