🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Classic Feelings 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 ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts. Toni Braxton's Moving Set The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame. However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Cheer Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts While the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.