Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on 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 breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
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 net result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
