Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
The Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak success.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions 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.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.