Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles 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 heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.
