R&B Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
