Foursome Offers Shades of Christmas in ‘Colors’

The many moods of the holiday season were appropriately given their due during Friday’s generous, 2 1/2-hour “Colors of Christmas” program at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Yet in the opener of a sold-out, four-night stand, the presiding vocal stylists also generated some stirring moments with their own pop, soul and R&B; hits.

During their most enduring numbers, Peabo Bryson, Sheena Easton, Patti Austin and James Ingram--working alone and in various combinations--let the pure power of their voices take hold. As if to prove that there’s still room in today’s youth-oriented pop scene for more accomplished, classy artists, the foursome sang with admirable determination and grace.

The first set, which leaned heavily on yuletide favorites, was far-reaching both in scope and personality. The selections ranged from the celebratory (“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “O Come All Ye Faithful”) to the more introspective and soulful (“Silent Night,” which featured Bryson and the angelic support of the Crenshaw High School Elite Choir.)

More of a showcase for the singers’ hit songs, the program’s second half tapped into some smooth soul and R&B; balladry before closing with the transcendent, gospel-driven “Oh, How Precious.”

A commanding figure in his solo turns, Bryson sang one number in particular that made all others pale in comparison. In fact, the crooner demonstrated why his “Can You Stop the Rain” climbed to No. 1 on the R&B; charts back in 1991. In wrapping himself around a lyric of loneliness and heartache, his gut-wrenching delivery packed quite an emotional punch.

The most memorable duet belonged to Bryson and Ingram on “Yah Mo B There.” As Ingram’s smoky baritone blended well with Bryson’s more polished voice, this anthem-like, rocking number infused the show with a timely blast of energy.

Of the individual personalities, it was Bryson who exuded the most personal charm. Confident, gracious and relaxed, he chatted briefly and roamed through the audience freely to shake hands and offer spirited hugs. At one point, he even slow-danced with one obviously tickled woman.

A handful of the evening’s 24 songs just never took off. Among the disappointments were film-song hits (“For Your Eyes Only,”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World”) that fell flat and sounded out of place in this setting. A couple of inferior ballads--Ingram’s troubled “I Don’t Have the Heart” and the drippy Easton-Bryson duet “We’ve Got Tonight”--were unfortunately repeated from past “Colors of Christmas” shows.

Nonetheless, this year’s presentation had enough good cheer to rejoice in.

* “The Colors of Christmas” concludes tonight at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, 8 p.m. Sold out. (562) 916-8500.

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