R&B Xmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Powerful Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak success.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
While the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
