R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
