R&B Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored 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 on stage 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 stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
