Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
