🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts. The Moving Performance The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame. However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Driving guitar chords then catapulted 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 iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band. Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Spirit Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance 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 evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.