Chapter One – Dr. Charles G. Hayes & the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir (review)

Chapter One
Dr. Charles G. Hayes & the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir
MCG Records 2008
www.mcgrecords.com

New chapter, new label, same electrifying gospel chorus.

On their first project for gospel label legend James Bullard and MCG Records, the Mighty Warriors of Cosmopolitan demonstrate why they are one of today’s most outstanding traditional gospel choirs.

The project opens with “He’s Keeping Me,” a musical testimony from Dr. Hayes who sings with gratitude for being in full physical health “and in my right mind.” Equally impressive is Hayes’ distinctive and authoritative voice, which has every bit as much vitality as on his first record, released for Checker in the mid-1960s, when the church was called the Universal Kingdom of Christ. Hayes possesses one of the truly memorable voices in the African American church.

Hayes returns to the theme of thanksgiving for good health on “I’ll Never Forget.” He explains how he was sick in 2000 but came out all right, thanks to God. It’s clear that Hayes, the fresh new kid on the block in the late 1950s and now part of Chicago’s African American church cognoscenti, is witnessing the passing of the generation before him and considering his own humanity.

Chapter One offers a number of Warriors trademark choral workouts, including “Power” and “Redeemed,” the latter to which we’ll return in a moment. “Real Soon” has a Baptist line hymn flavor with contemporary overtones, led by a gospel-blues vocal, courtesy of the talented Yolanda Johnson.

Although many of the compositions are from the pens of Cosmopolitan music department members Tony Dyson and Tanabe Gatlin, the choir takes on Evangelist Rosie Wallace’s classic “Take It to the Lord in Prayer” and J.C. White’s “You Can Make It.” Longtime director Allen Cathey has a well-disciplined group – anyone who knows Dr. Hayes knows it would be no other way – and despite its wellspring of large and powerful voices, the choir blends well as an ensemble.

Three songs – “I Can’t Thank You Enough (Joy and Gladness),” “Hold Me Jesus,” and Darius Brooks’ “Say It” – are compositions with a contemporary flair that will find favor with younger listeners even though they don’t stray far from the traditional gospel foundation.

Of course, no Cosmopolitan project would be complete without one Diane Williams workout, which is to a Warriors album like the toy prize is to a Cracker Jack box: you would enjoy the container’s contents but be disappointed if the prize wasn’t inside. On Chapter One, the “prize” is Williams’ thrilling performance on “Redeemed.” While the track ends just as Williams is in full evangelist mode, an equally long reprise at the end of the CD continues where the track left off, providing an additional four-plus minutes of Williams’ always compelling singing-preaching.

Recently I had the chance to see Williams and the Warriors perform “Redeemed” live. As Williams, in full spirit, was being escorted from the stage by fellow choir members, she was also being encouraged by the audience to return. She did return, and continued to vamp as the crowd gathered around her, clapping and shouting. The scene of Williams singing in the midst of a crowded ring of enthusiasts gave one the experience of being at an old time Pentecostal service or – further back – at a West African religious ceremony.

Needless to say, if all churches had a choir as powerful and inspiring as Cosmopolitan’s, there would be an upsurge of church membership.

Four of Four Stars