Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s

The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.