R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest success.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set featured interpretations of influences, 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 Cheer
Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
