Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “For 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 command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo 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 turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
