Fans of performances captured live, of which there are many, will applaud vocalist, keyboardist, composer and producer PJ Morton’s Watch the Sun Live: The Mansion Sessions. Morton’s revisit to material on his 2022 Grammy-nominated album Watch the Sun seems like a natural for the talented artist who grew up playing in the church with a congregation as his “audience.” Several of the tunes and certainly the closer, “The Benediction”—with multiple voices acting as a choir—feel like the praising was heard in a house of worship.

As on the 2022 album, Morton invites an array of special guests to join him on his always optimistic tunes. This time out, however, the many new arrangements include a large orchestral ensemble that fills the venue—a house in the Valley near Los Angeles—with joy as is often expressed by the audience.

After a brief introduction, PJ Morton opens with the soul groove of “Good Morning” featuring vocalist Susan Carol. His greeting is one that’s heard at the start of the day in churches, schools and on the streets all over New Orleans. This duet with Carol really works as do many of the pairings on the album. The remake of “On My Way” is enhanced with horns and electric keys.

Favorites from the studio album, such as “Be Like Water, which featured the magnificent Stevie Wonder, rise again with dynamic spoken word delivered by Sunni Patterson. Its message to chill when faced with confrontation—”Just let it go”—remains at its core.

Though the title, “So Lonely,” suggests sadness, it gets a kick from its lively rhythm, horns and the audience’s participatory hand-clapping as well as a hard-hitting conga solo.

PJ Morton’s Watch the Sun Live: The Mansion Sessions makes you want to have been among the “congregation.”