Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
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 abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony 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, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances 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.
Final Thoughts
While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
