Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic 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 hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
