Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of influences, such as a memorable solo 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 concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.