🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame. Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band. Their performance included covers of influences, such as 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 Towards the end, the concert embraced 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 night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.