Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished 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 matching all-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 precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended 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 night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.
