🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Performance The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success. However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band. Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Spirit Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.