R&B Christmas Ball Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their set featured covers 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 concert embraced the Christmas theme 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.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
