Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to 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.

Overall Impressions

While the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.