Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up 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 gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise 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 Dash of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
