Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing 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 stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances 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 Impressions
While the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.
