Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
