Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the night's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.