R&B Xmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
