Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak success.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured covers of influences, such as a memorable 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 Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
