🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. The Powerful Performance The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success. Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Spirit Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.