🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B. Starting Acts: Classic Feelings Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts. The Powerful Performance The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame. Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Spirit Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme 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 evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.