R&B Christmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
