Shirley Goes R&B

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Thursday 12th January 2006

Veteran Shirley Caesar returns with Tonex guesting on new album.

VETERAN gospel diva Shirley Caesar has surprised pundits with her new album 'I Know The Truth', her first for Shu-Bel/Artemis Gospel, which takes on a distinctly contemporary edge. The title track features Shirley with special guest R&B gospel man Tonex.  CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Reader Comments

Posted by Delmar in Inglewood @ 21:49 on Jul 23 2011

I grew up in the church, and reading all the critic posts on here, is WHY I don't go anymore. Too much dogma and religious B.S. going on, and NOT ENUFF SOULS BEING SAVED!!! So, no thanks! And spare me the argument that I should still do it for myself and nobody else. Bottom line: I show up at a gas station to fill up, but there is no gas, and I go the next one, same thing. Do I continue to waste my time and gas? I've been looking to fill up for 33 years. Thats what is happening here. Folks are going to church but leaving more empty than when they first went in. No fill-ups going on in these churches today. Folks are arguing about a damn line from a song, yet people are spiritually dying. i'm soo over it at this point.



Posted by Imani Reeves in williamsport @ 20:20 on Jul 6 2008

tonex was an inspiration to me. His music,voice and passion for god.But now he is something my parents say stay away from.I know how it feels being a pastors daughter and loosing someone but im twelve years old and I still handle things without tirnig against who I am and what god has called me to be. Thankyou



Posted by toby martin in memphis @ 06:51 on Feb 14 2008

Shirley Caesar has no problem with going to get her grammy awards. She has won 11 to date. Selling cd`s as she mentioned in the song means more money that can be used for her ministry. Anybody that records music certainly hopes that their music will sell. I don`t understand the negative comments about this song. The lyrics and music in this song is gospel and overall traditional at that ! Why would people say that Shirley sinned by saying in the song "the more you talk, i`m gonna sell cd`s, we`re off to the grammys" why are people downing her for saying that ?



Posted by LORI in RALEIGH @ 01:28 on Oct 5 2007

THERE ARE WAY TO MUCH NEGATIVE TALK ABOUT PASTOR SHIRLEY MAYBE SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO SAY THAT SHE WOULD BE GOING TO THE GRAMMY WITH THIS ONE, BUT DONT FORGET ALL THE GOOD SHE HAS DONE SHE IS STILL HUMAN AND JUST LIKE EVERY HUMNA ON THIS HERE PAGE , JUST LIKE EVERY HUMAN IN THE WORLD SHE CAN MAKE MISTAKE, SHE STILL CAN SIN NO BODY IS PERFECT. SO NOBOD HERE SHOULD BE JUDGE MENTAL BECAUSE IT'S NOT YOUR JUDGE THAT MATTERS IN THE END



Posted by Gwyn in South Carolina @ 15:01 on Jul 19 2007

I had a co-worker who was very dedicated to the Word of God and supported many traditional Gospel artists. One day, she had the opportunity to visit her favorite artists back stage and was shocked to find that most of them were behaving in such an ungodly manner. It broke her heart. We tend to think that just because a Gospel artist is strickly traditional that they are "truly annointed," and we think that if an artist is more contemporary, than they lack annointing. Only God knows the heart of a person. If those few lines on that one song by Paster Caesar can cause a person to think that she's "lost her annointing in singing" in the face of all that she's done in the name of Jesus, we can only thank our Heavenly Father for His Grace and Mercy that extends far beyond our greatests faults. Aren't we suppose to be a reflection of Him? I interrupt the lines, "I'm gonna sell CDs" and "Going to the Grammys" as a statement that the Gospel is going to spread to such a height that one day a Gospel artist will open the Grammys and the increase in sales will testify to the renewed spreading of "the Good News" to those who need it the most. Isn't that our commission? I ask those of us who aren't "judging, but telling the truth" this question: How are we actively using our gifts and talents to bring those "out of the ark of safety" into the Arms of Jesus? Remember, Jesus went to the lost and spoke in a manner in which they could understand. He didn't just attend temple and wait for them to find Him. This lively debate is good because it made me look in the mirror and hold my faith and works up to the Light. I hope we all do the same. God bless and keep you all in Spirit, Truth, and Love.



Posted by jay in London, England @ 21:46 on Jun 24 2007

I just read all the comments about Pastor Shirely's latest album. It really made me realise how sad many of us are in our thinking as Christians - even in this day. I agree with the brother who talked about Jesus coming not for those that are whole - but the sick. Any doctor will tell you that most medications have a bit of the sickness in it. A bit of Rap in Gospel to the world hearer will only help them to give EAR to listen to what we are saying. And there is encough WORD in Pastor Shirley's song to overcome the DARKNESS in a heart. Jesus spoke relevant stories and pictures that ordinary folk, poor and helpless could understand. That's why he stood apart from the religious PHARISEES of the day - and he took flack for it. So even though Jesus spoke in a way the common people (sinners) could understand it was the Pharisees (equivalent of the religious Christians today) who moaned. Also if the Apostle Paul can advise us not to worry about the people who preach for "filthy lucre" - (or in plain language dirty money), but just be glad that the gospel is preach, how much more for gospel songs that are preaching good sense or morals and THE GOOD WORD OF GOD with a bit of dancehall or reggae or hip hop. I personally believe that all entertainment of every kind with moral standards should be created and developed by Christians. Why? Because we should be prime advocates of what is good and right - since we say we know God and righteoousness (doing the right thing). Secondly, Paul said that when there are things we find difficult to judge we should not cause dissention or division BUT ...leave them until the day of the Lord (sorry no time to look up the reference but its there)!
Go on Pastor Shirley, I hope you sell lots of CDs to non Christians as well as Christians. You've earned every cent and penny!



Posted by andre @ 01:24 on Jun 23 2007

listen everybody we have to be careful seeing that we are living in the last days. none of us should be surprised when we see all this foolishness happening. we just have to be careful of the spirit of babylon............this spirit describes all the people who know how to construct themselves, to look like they're of God but in truth they are not. this spirit knows how to bless you and blind you. some of these gospel artists are gettin too caught up in the hype and allowed this spirit to take them over. though it looks like its from God becuz they speak in tongues and shout, doesnt mean that its of God. the bible says u have to try the spirit. if u check into it deep enough u will see that there is just something that is missing.........the sweet aroma ...............that sweet perfume of the holy spirit is missing so just be careful. i cant judge cuz am not perfect and none of us are..........we just have to keep these people in our prayers...........God is a god who can change things so lets do more praying and less judging.



Posted by Kalef in Washington, DC @ 18:06 on May 17 2007

Well i do believe that the world and the church are so tied together you can't tell who's who and the bible say my people will no my voice. I Love the spirit that lives in Pastor Ceaser Lord know i do mother as I like to call her....at the same time “I'm gonna sales CD” and “going to the Grammy???” That’s’ so not like Mama Ceaser; you lost me baby....last time i check you did music to carry out the word of God, So now your just out to sale CD's??? I don't want to believe this at all but the bible also says out the abundant of the heart the mouth speaks....And for the record the Grammy is to award the world is it’s not????? Now that same bible that Mama has help me understand so much says when the world give me something the love of God is not in me. I think when Gospel and The whole are mixed you only bring confusion and the devil is confusion...Mother Shirley i want to believe you did this song to get Tonex's fan back to worshiping God cause that man was so stuck on self it aint funny....and that's not a judge it's fact.....I say that to say if you really listing to the song Mother Ceaser is sing to and about Jesus whole time brother Tonex is rapping about her….and the thing I love about that part of the song all the while he’s rapping about her she in the background singing TELL HIM MY FAITH IN THE LORD…..Glory to God….

Just pray yall no one Is prefect and you don’t know the hearts…



Posted by Marie in Toronto, Canada @ 14:16 on May 9 2007

This is more of a question. I have been searching for a long time song by Shirley Ceasar. "Have Mercy On Me Lord I'm a sinner. I had the song, but unfortunately it was destroyed. I have been searching for it and would like to purchase it. If you know of the correct title, may you please send it to me

Thank you, Marie


Reply by Ruth in Baltimore, MD @ 20:47 on May 10 2007

you can check amazon.com or spun.com they have alot of Pastor Caesar old cd

[report abuse]


Posted by Yesenia in Princton, New Jersey @ 15:33 on Apr 3 2007

My personal opinion is that gospel era is changing. The ones who were powerful back then are now slipping from what they are use to doing and Shirley Casear in my Opinion lost her ANOINTANCE IN HER SINGING. She usually does not do rap. Many of these gospel artists out here Change.WE need to pray and ask God to help them back to where they were. Shirley do not rap.. If you want to get technical Rapping is not in Gospel... Rapping is apart of the world... Rapping is secualr..No I am not jugding her but she needs to get back to her roots. We got to pray...



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