R&B Christmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
