R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Moving Set
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 appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert embraced 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 experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
