R&B Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
