R&B Christmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece 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 turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.
