R&B Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “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 command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set 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 Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced 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.
Final Impressions
Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.