🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B. Opening Performances: Classic Vibes Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Set The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned 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 fame. Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their set included covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Cheer Finally, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions Although the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.