Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, 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 tight and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations 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 Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.
