TBGB Pick of the Week: June 13, 2011

“If You Praise Me”

From the Music Blend CD Won’t It Be Wonderful
www.myspace.com/voicesofcitadel

The Brooklyn choir that gave us “Hallelujah to the Lamb” and the high-spirited version of the Davis Sisters’ “Won’t It Be Wonderful” are back with “Praise Me,” another traditional choral rafter raiser culled from the same album.

James Hall’s ensemble possesses that huge, aggressive East Coast vocal sound and is well supported by a combo that includes bluesy piano, chirping B3, thumping bass runs and slamming percussion. The audience, already spirited to church by this selection, is especially roused when the group climbs to the song’s apex one key change at a time.

If you liked “Won’t It Be Wonderful,” you’ll equally enjoy “If You Praise Me.”