Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s

The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

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

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show 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

While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.