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

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving Set

The opening 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 appeared anchored in the era of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas 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 anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.