R&B Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
The Powerful Set
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles 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 moment. “For 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 grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
