Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
