Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - I'll Say Yes

Reviewed by Dancin' Dave Derbyshire

New York's 250 strong Brooklyn Tabernacle choir was one of the first to combine black and white members and develop a style somewhere between gospel and middle of the road worship music. This album was recorded live in New York capturing an atmosphere of worship with these songs directed at Jesus. For a live album I was impressed by the slick arrangements with technical excellence and well orchestrated openings. The sound was clearest on the songs with a lead vocalist such as "I Never Lost My Praise", although personally I wonder if some people may find it hard to identify with the sentiments in this particular song. Nevertheless, songs such as "I Will Bless Your Name" and "I'll Say Yes" echo the hearts of many worshippers. And this album is sprinkled through with prayers without the hyped voiceovers that accompany so many gospel choirs. But unfortunately these songs appeared a bit banal so in the end I found this quite an unremarkable album.