R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest success.
However, deep into her set, she spoke 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 heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
