R&B Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured interpretations 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 Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
