R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties

This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success.

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.