R&B Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, 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 Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood 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 Impressions

While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.