Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “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 somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

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

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.