R&B Christmas Ball Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
