R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong 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 had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
