Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
