Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
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 delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics 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 featured interpretations of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch 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 finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
