R&B Christmas Ball Review: An Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful 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 backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations 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 Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
