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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.