R&B Christmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
