Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “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, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on 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-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
