R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
