Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.

Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.