Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: An Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
