Betty Winn’s choir One A-Chord (not to be confused with other troupes bearing similar names around the country) has long been a favorite in the gospel tent at Jazz Fest, and for good reason. Few vocal groups offer up as effortless a history of praise, tracing gospel from its earliest recorded roots right up to the present day. Praising In New Orleans, while not quite as sonically polished or musically successful as 2002’s Shout Hallelujah, nonetheless utilizes a similar formula: updating traditional gospel and claiming modern music for the Lord.

The trio of openers grounds Praising in the classics: Leo Williams’ guitar and an anonymous harmonica color “God’s Unchanging Hand” with pure blues, “Love Lifted Me” is glossy enough to pass muster as smooth jazz, and “Since I Laid My Burden Down” is so funky it enters Staple Singers territory. Straight, slow, reflective versions of “Precious Lord” and “Soon I Will Be Done” prove that Winn’s not relying on gimmicks to get her message across, however, despite the occasional blissful pop standard like “What A Wonderful World” and “Put A Little Love In Your Heart.” Her title track tries too hard to stir the bead-heavy tourist, but her two other originals make up for it, not to mention a “Down By The Riverside” that remembers to pay the debt modern praise owes to the traditional brass band. It won’t replace the Jazz Fest experience — not many discs can — but Praising In New Orleans is a good way for chosen to get that joy when it’s all over.