Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.