Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era 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 single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
While the evening's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
