R&B Christmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Performance
The opening 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 live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing 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
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
