R&B Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood 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.
Final Impressions
Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
