R&B Xmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
