Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s

This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak success.

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.