🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts. The Powerful Performance The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame. However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Appearing on stage in strikingly matching 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 precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Cheer Finally, the evening turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.