R&B Xmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
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 Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
