Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional 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 audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their set included covers of influences, including a standout solo 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 turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
