Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For 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 command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance 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
Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.