Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through 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 performance included interpretations of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
