R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The Moving Performance
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 backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
