R&B Xmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Set
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
