🔗 Share this article

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Powerful Set

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

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of hits 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 feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.