R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command 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 white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
