Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme 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
While the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling 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, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
