R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Moving Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “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 hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
