R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage 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 declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
