Choice is
an acappella vocal group that has been performing for 30 years. First
formed in the Greenville section of Jersey City, NJ, Choice has built quite
a reputation as one of the most polished and versatile groups around. I first saw
one of their impressive performances at the United in Group Harmony
Association (UGHA) some years ago. They are
professional in every way. When Erin Blatt, Franklin Township Public
Library’s Programing and Outreach Librarian, first asked us to suggest a doo wop acappella
group to perform at the library, we suggested “Jersey City’s Bad Boys of
Acappella” -- Choice. Charlie and I arrived early at the library to find
that Choice already setting up. They displayed a great deal of
professionalism setting up and throughout the concert. Erin introduced
Charlie who introduced WFDU Radio’s Christine Vitale who in turn introduced
Choice. The quintet appeared in dark pants and green shirts with great
stylish hats. Their easy dialogue made the audience feel relaxed and
welcome. Choice sang a mix of Doo Wop, Gospel, Rhythm & Blues and Soul
harmonies. They opened up with “Stormy Weather” with EZ on lead. I was
impressed with their version of Sam Cooke and The Soul Stirrers’ “Touch The
Hem of His Garment”. Next was Dion’s “The Wanderer,” followed up by “A
Brighter Day,” a song that we know by Charm that is probably rooted in an
earlier Gospel tune. Choice harmonized to Otis Williams’ “That’s
You’re Mistake”. A great falsetto on the Temptations’ “The Girl's
Alright With Me” made this song special.
Charlie Horner welcoming the audience.
(Photo by Pamela Horner)
Christine Vitale of WFDU's "Group Harmony Alley" introducing
Choice.
(Photo by Pamela Horner)
Choice.
Left to right: Tony, Sly, Ira, Rahib and E-Z.
(Photo by Pamela Horner)
E-Z (right)
leading Choice
Taking a
short break, the members of Choice fielded questions from the audience.
They named some of their influences, which were not surprising. Some of
them included North Jersey groups like the Royal Counts and Manhattans,
while other influences were Motown groups like the Temptations and Jackson
Five. As the group’s harmonies matured they began listening to pioneer
groups like the Larks, Ravens and Orioles.
Choice at the
Franklin Township Public Library
In their
second set, Choice started playing Kazoos to “Happy Birthday” and then went
onto singing the song in harmony to audience member Judy Haskins who was
accompanied by the Del Larks’ Ron Taylor. Some other notables in the
audience were original founding member of the Duprees, Tommy Bialoglow (the
Duprees were also from Jersey City!) and our Philly
area friends, Jim Bakay, Carl Tancredi, and Steve Applebaum. Also in attendance
was was Stu Weiss of the Internet radio show, “The Pop Shoppe.” Choice
closed with the Cleftones “Little Girl of Mine” and Spaniels “Everyone’s
Laughing”.
Charlie with Tommy Bialoglow, founding member of the Duprees
(Photo by Pamela Horner)
Ron Taylor of the Del Larks
(Photo by Pamela Horner)
Choice with Erin Blatt, Pam & Charlie Horner
Franklin Township Library's Erin Blatt with Choice
(Photo by Pamela Horner)
Choice's Business Card
For more
info on Choice, including their schedule of upcoming appearances, visit their
website through our Links
Page. We hope the
Franklin Township Public Library will sponsor more acappella concerts in the
future. We enjoyed helping the library bring Choice to the people of
Somerset, NJ.
Here's
a YouTube Video of Choice singing the Crows' song, "Gee".
Here's a message from Choice advertising the August 6
event..
You can also visit Choice's
website by clicking
Here.
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