Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “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 audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their performance included interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks 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 theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
