Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties

The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Moving Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of influences, including 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

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.