Essential Gospel – Classic Recordings: No. 143

“I Stretch My Hands to Thee”
The Trumpet-letts
Bilesse 0006
1960s

Bill 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 first names. Bilesse’s main claim to fame is being one of the first to capture on vinyl some of the second generation Moss/Clark Family members, all (or most all) who have become household names in gospel. For example, J Moss’ first record, recorded when he was five years old, was on Bilesse: the cheek-pinching cute “Great God Almighty.” And I have heard there’s a Clark Sisters LP on Bilesse, though not having seen it, I cannot confirm or deny its existence.

Bilesse also produced an early single for longtime Detroit group the Trumpet-letts (aka Trumpelettes). “I Stretch My Hands to Thee” effectively blends the early ‘60s proto-soul girl group ballad sound with Pentecostal emotion, like the Chantels or Quintones shouting down the glory at a revival meeting. The lead vocalist cries her vocals at the beginning but builds to shouting by the conclusion.

“Father” is drop-dead gorgeous, literally dripping with humble supplication, and the best release on Bilesse. If you like slow, moving, soulful doo-wop, you’ll like this single. To paraphrase the late Alan Freed, it’s almost too pretty for radio.