Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties

This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run 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 artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.