R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of influences, such as 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 performance concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
