Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
