Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.