“I Stretch My Hands to Thee”The Trumpet-lettsBilesse 00061960sBill Moss may be gone, but his legacy remains strong. In addition to his own work with wife Essie as innovative gospel group Bill Moss and the Celestials, Bill ran a record label (also with Essie) called Bilesse, an obvious elision of their [...]
“No Limit”From the CD With Praises from the HeartDana MackeyDDM Music, LLC 2007www.danamackey.comI know that “With Praises” is the radio single, but to my ears, “No Limit” is the finest track on Dana Mackey’s ultra-modern debut CD, With Praises from the Heart. Polyrhythmic and with rich, multi-layered vocals, “No Limit” [...]
Diary of a Strong SouljahG. Mayes & Nu EraLight 2007www.lightrecords.comI continue to be impressed by the tough hip-hop gospel sounds pouring forth from Light Records these days. Another such selection hits the streets next week: Diary of a Strong Souljah, Houston-based Gary Mayes and Nu Era’s third project.There’s so much [...]
“In A City Where Sun Will Never Go Down”Bishop P.H. Passon and the Evening Light SingersLance 1026ca. 1950"In a City Where Sun Will Never Go Down" (sic) is enthusiastic female group singing, hand clapping, and delightful barrelhouse piano that guides the singers while throwing its own holy shapes in the [...]
“Praise Him”Evangelist Robin SmithFrom the CD Emmanuel LiveSpiritual City Music 2007www.spiritualcitymusic.comIt’s amazing to listen to Evangelist Robin Smith, with her auditorium-filling voice, and realize she’s a throat cancer survivor. Her soaring Aretha-like hollers on “Praise Him” are huge and powerful. The track's up-tempo instrumental and choral backing bounces it along [...]
TBGB thanks Sheilah Belle and The Belle Report for providing the following list of homegoing services for William "Bill" Moss Sr.Viewing: 11 AM - 7 PMFriday, June 29thNew Saint Paul Church , Southfield Rd. & Grand RiverDetroit , MI Family Viewing:6 PM - 7 PMFriday, June 29thNew Saint Paul Church [...]
TBGB learned from The Belle Report that Bill Moss, Sr., member of Detroit's Moss/Clark gospel music dynasty, went on to be with the Lord today. He died in a Detroit hospital. Moss's sister, Mattie Moss Clark, almost needs no introduction, but for those who don't know, she was the leader [...]
Special thanks to Joseph Middleton for alerting TBGB about this notice, found on the Atlanta Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America website.Monday, June 25th, 2007. The Atlanta Chapter of the GMWA, Inc. Mass Choir will be the guest of our own Sis. Sarah McKissick in her 87th Birthday [...]
“Oh Clap Your Hands” Brenda Jefferson from A Time of Refreshing Scripture Music Group 2007 www.myspace.com/brendajeffersononline “Oh Clap Your Hands” is the radio single from Brenda Jefferson’s recently released collection of "Scripture songs," A Time of Refreshing. Pastor Jefferson and her husband, Bishop M.B. Jefferson, lead the congregation at Deeper [...]
“Walk Around Heaven All Day”The CaravansVee Jay 945 and VJLP 5058 (1964)[Also available on Collectables CD The Best of Vee-Jay Gospel, Vol. 4](NOTE: This essay was originally published in 1996; it has been edited and updated for inclusion here.)“One of these mornings, it won’t be very long;You'll look for me [...]
