Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success.
However, deep into her performance, 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 performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
