Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “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, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance included interpretations of influences, including 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 evening turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
