Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
