Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, 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 began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
