R&B Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
