R&B Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set included 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 Christmas Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended 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 glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
