Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began 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 featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood 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 Thoughts
While the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.
