Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, 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 performance included 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 Dash of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday theme 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.
Overall Thoughts
While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
