R&B Christmas Concert Review: An Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
