Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties

The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded 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 had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.