R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood 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 Impressions
Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
