Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Moving Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood 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
While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
