🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts. The Powerful Performance The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame. Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band. Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Cheer Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful 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 past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.