R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Moving Set
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 anchored 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 perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including 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 ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.
