R&B Christmas Ball Review: An Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.