R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
