🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B. Opening Performances: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Performance The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success. Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band. Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Spirit Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.