Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
The Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong 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 stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.