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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, 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 delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

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, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood 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.

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.