R&B Christmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The Moving Performance
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 era of her peak fame.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances 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.
Final Impressions
While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
