R&B Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

The Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak success.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.