🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success. However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, 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 performance included covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Spirit Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.