TBGB Pick of the Week: May 15, 2005: Dr. Charles G., Courtesy of Dr. Charles T.

“Jesus Can Work It Out (Remix)”

Dr. Charles G. Hayes and the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir (aka “The Warriors”)

From the ICEE Inspirational CD The Remix, due out this summer

In 1960, during the Kennedy Administration, Chicago’s Dr. Charles G. Hayes established the quintessential gospel choir now known as the Cosmopolitian Church of Prayer Choir or, more simply and appropriately, “The Warriors.” Forty-five years later, The Warriors still command a regular presence on the gospel charts. This time around, their music is hitting the stores and airwaves with the added octane of remix, courtesy of Dr. Charles T. White and ICEE Inspirational Records.

This summer, Dr. White is releasing an entire CD of Warrior remixes, featuring new versions of the choir’s greatest and most frenzied gospel classics, particularly “Jesus Can Work It Out.” Originally recorded and popularized in 1974 by fellow South Side minister Rev. Maceo Woods and his Christian Tabernacle Choir, “Jesus” in the Warriors’ interpretation became known for superpower soloist Dianne Williams’ famous vamp about the light bill coming due, baby needing a pair of shows, telephone having been disconnected, her wait for the next paycheck, etc.

Williams is at the helm of this version just as she was on the choir’s 1980 original, but even though she sounds exactly the same as she did back then, she recognizes lyrically that time has, in fact, marched on. Remember the baby who needed a pair of shoes? Dianne sings that baby’s grown up now and “taking care of me!” Such is the circle of life.

The remix is done extremely well – courtesy of gospel producer extraordinare Percy Bady – and promises to light up radio station telephones and crowd the gospel DJ dance floors to boot. It also gets me thinking that other pewburners need remixing, too. Recordings such as Ricky Dillard’s “More Abundantly” (Muscle Shoals Sound Gospel, 1990) and Douglas Miller and the True Way Choir’s “Pass Me Not“ (AIR, 1982) are ripe for the same kind of redux treatment. Regardless, it is about time Dr. Hayes’ group had a greatest hits compilation. They have enough classic choir cuts to fill several CDs!