🔗 Share this article

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

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

The Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable 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 mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.