Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
