On one of my previous channel lives, I got a dare from someone to do this one. It was in response to my uploading of Dorothy Morrison's "Rain". Dorothy's voice leads on the Edwin Hawkins Singers pop gospel hit "Oh Happy Day" that hit #4 in 1969. I went on mission to find a virgin vinyl 12 and I finally found one unsealed from 1978. Quickly digitizing it, editing the video and then putting it on the shelf for three years. I did not know how to drop this one on you, so I have started Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays which will be the second Wednesdays of each month. It's a Bobby Eli song produced by Norman Harris, both veterans of MFSB and originally recorded by the legendary Dells in 1977 as a lush Gamble/Huff type production. This stark disco version was done by a gospel group called The Gospelaires Of Dayton O. who covered the song in 1978. "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves" released on the Savoy Label, a bass and drum stomper that would have had me testifying on the dance floor! That guitar solo is pretty funky. Great licks! It has a stark arrangement, full and heavy with a wah-wah wash to the simple guitar line and the earthy doo wop vocals to complete the mix. No strings. No synthesizers. I gurantee you will never forget this once you hear it. Talk about gut shaking, that bass is waaay phat and with those drums thumpin' away, can't stay seated! The group is truly gospel and this song gave me chills when I first played it a few years ago. The haunting bass voice that anchors the song is the main reason I get chills, I can't help it. The part where his voice alone sings "He can lead you to the water, but you got to drink yourself" over that rollicking bass line made me stop to listen to the lyrics over and over again. Use your headphones and you might feel it too. There's a pretty strong message in "if you've been kicked, then kick on back, and may God be with you".... so much for turning the other cheek! The Gospelaires were one of the hardest rocking quartets in gospel and ended up onstage at the Apollo Theater! They got their start in 1956 with time honored gospel songs like "Ride This Train" and "Rest For The Weary". They stood out due to the vocals of Bob Washington, Paul Arnold, Melvin Boyd, Charles McLean and Robert Lattimore. They recorded for Peacock Records and moved to Savoy Records in 1977. This song is a non album single, a one off release for the disco crowd that was pretty hard to find. I bought an original unsealed 12" disco version of the song with vocal on one side and instrumental on the other, using both to create this remix. This one is not for everyone, the sparse but funky rhythm track puts the emphasis on the lyrics, which are surprisingly direct and sung with conviction. Worth a listen.
The Gospelaires Of Dayton, O ~ God Helps Those Who Help Themselves 1978 Disco Purrfection Version
On one of my previous channel lives, I got a dare from someone to do this one. It was in response to my uploading of Dorothy Morrison's "Rain". Dorothy's voice leads on the Edwin Hawkins Singers pop gospel hit "Oh Happy Day" that hit #4 in 1969. I went on mission to find a virgin vinyl 12 and I finally found one unsealed from 1978. Quickly digitizing it, editing the video and then putting it on the shelf for three years. I did not know how to drop this one on you, so I have started Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays which will be the second Wednesdays of each month. It's a Bobby Eli song produced by Norman Harris, both veterans of MFSB and originally recorded by the legendary Dells in 1977 as a lush Gamble/Huff type production. This stark disco version was done by a gospel group called The Gospelaires Of Dayton O. who covered the song in 1978. "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves" released on the Savoy Label, a bass and drum stomper that would have had me testifying on the dance floor! That guitar solo is pretty funky. Great licks! It has a stark arrangement, full and heavy with a wah-wah wash to the simple guitar line and the earthy doo wop vocals to complete the mix. No strings. No synthesizers. I gurantee you will never forget this once you hear it. Talk about gut shaking, that bass is waaay phat and with those drums thumpin' away, can't stay seated! The group is truly gospel and this song gave me chills when I first played it a few years ago. The haunting bass voice that anchors the song is the main reason I get chills, I can't help it. The part where his voice alone sings "He can lead you to the water, but you got to drink yourself" over that rollicking bass line made me stop to listen to the lyrics over and over again. Use your headphones and you might feel it too. There's a pretty strong message in "if you've been kicked, then kick on back, and may God be with you".... so much for turning the other cheek! The Gospelaires were one of the hardest rocking quartets in gospel and ended up onstage at the Apollo Theater! They got their start in 1956 with time honored gospel songs like "Ride This Train" and "Rest For The Weary". They stood out due to the vocals of Bob Washington, Paul Arnold, Melvin Boyd, Charles McLean and Robert Lattimore. They recorded for Peacock Records and moved to Savoy Records in 1977. This song is a non album single, a one off release for the disco crowd that was pretty hard to find. I bought an original unsealed 12" disco version of the song with vocal on one side and instrumental on the other, using both to create this remix. This one is not for everyone, the sparse but funky rhythm track puts the emphasis on the lyrics, which are surprisingly direct and sung with conviction. Worth a listen.
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