R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Powerful Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
