Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the 90s

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances 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.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.