Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.