Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance included interpretations of influences, such as a memorable solo 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 show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
