R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Powerful Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution 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, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
