🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success. However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their set included 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 Spirit Finally, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.