Back in the 1960s and 70s, The Choir was a Cleveland-based rock band that leaned heavily on the British Invasion sound of that time, eventually having a couple members in the pop band The Raspberries. Here, we get a two disc recording of a “reunion” concert from 2019 including the team of Phil Giallombardo/org-voc, Randy Klawon/g-voc, Jim Bonfanti/dr-voc, Denny Carleton/b-voc and Ken Margolis/key-voc mixing u their hits such as “It’s Cold Outside”, “If These Are Men” and “For Eric” with songs from bands and artists that have been their influences, and it works quite well.
A good deal of material from Procol Harum is present, with dramatic covers of “Whiter Shade Of Pale” and “Conquistador” with rich voices on “Shine On Brightly” and “A Salty Dog” with their own “Lady Bug” sounding highly Harumish. Some gospel and blues are featured on the Billy Preston “What About You” and “That’s The Way God Planned It” and the team is upbeat on “Anyway I Can” and stomping out Bob Seger’s “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man.” Things like vocal harmonies and the swinging Mercy Beat sound fresh and exciting here, with nary a sense of nostalgia.