R&B Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest 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. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
