🔗 Share this article

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening 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 anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.