R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their set included covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
