Without a doubt, that would have been better with a southern choir; everything goes better with biscuits, butter and molasses. Which reminds me of a joke, "How can I have Mo-lasses, when I aint had No-lasses"?
Somehow, sophisticated Northern soul is not quite the same as southern "Nawlins" soul.
I've got one more cut to conclude R2D4, and it's one that's probably already in everyone's collection; "Grace, Passion, and Fire", features three of the worlds greatest guitarists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3iGy4ErYNE
Enjoy the music.