🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts. The Moving Performance The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame. However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band. Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Cheer Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions 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. Final Thoughts Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.