R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying 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: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, 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 reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, 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.
Final Thoughts
While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
