R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “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, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.