Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties

This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated 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 influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.