Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak success.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
