🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Classic Vibes Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Performance The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame. However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance included covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Cheer Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.