SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: REFRESHING- THE SECOND-HALF QUARTET
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
REFRESHING
THE SECOND-HALF QUARTET
RELEASE DATE: JULY 22, 2016
LABEL: DAYWIND RECORDS
PRODUCER(S): GERALD WOLFE & MARK TRAMMELL
MEMBERS: MARK TRAMMELL (BARITONE), PAT BARKER (BASS), CHRIS ALLMAN (TENOR), RODNEY GRIFFIN (LEAD), AND GERAL WOLFE (PIANIST)
SONG LIST:
Let Us Cheer The Weary Traveler (Roger C. Wilson)- ft. Mark Trammell
I’m Going Up When I Die (Hurdist Milsap)- ft. Pat Barker, Chris Allman (step-outs)
Gonna Shout All Over Heaven (Haskell Cooley/Linda Cooley)- ft. Ensemble
Rivers of Joy (Margaret Douroux)- ft.
Remind Me Of Calvary (John McKay)- ft. Mark Trammell
When I Move (Buford Abner)- ft. Ensemble
Wonder Grace Of Jesus (Public Domain)- Acappella
Standing On Holy Ground (Clettus Miller)- ft. Ensemble
The Prodigal Son (LaVonne Cantrell)- ft. Rodney Griffin
Going Home (William J. Gaither/Gloria Gaither)- ft. Chris Allman, Pat Barker
THOUGHTS:
If you are a fan of the Cathedrals, especially the 1980s lineups, this project is for you! The Second- Half Quartet, a scrap iron group formed by Greater Vision, Mark Trammell and Pat Barker, brings new life to several lesser known Cathedrals songs on their debut project on Daywind Records. This “refreshing” new album features ten Cathedral Quartet songs; all but two of which are pulled from Trammell’s time with the legendary quartet. This record has everything that I look for in a project: great songs, stellar vocals, top quality music and production.
The album opens with a classic arrangement of “Let Us Cheer The Weary Traveler,” which features Mark Trammell on the verses. Trammell is without question one of the best baritones in Southern Gospel Music history. His incredible smooth tones are also showcased on the ballad “Remind Me Of Calvary,” which originally featured Glen Payne. Speaking of Mr. Payne, Rodney Griffin brilliantly channels “the Old Man” on the classic “The Prodigal Son.” I was blown away by his performance on this track and the similarity between their vocals.
My two favorite tracks on this record are definitely: the fun upbeat convention song “I’m Standing On Holy Ground,” and the swinging “I’m Going Up (When I Die).” Both of these tracks feature the incredible blend of this scrap-iron quartet. Pat Barker and Chris Allman also channel George Younce and Kirk Talley in excellent form. These versions stay true to the original arrangements from the early 1980s. I also enjoyed hearing the group’s version of the fun track “Shout All Over Heaven,” the classic “Wonderful Grace Of Jesus,” and the tender Gaither standard “Going Home.”
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Overall, this is a fantastic debut record for this stellar quartet. This is in my opinion one of the best Cathedral tribute projects released period that is not marketed as such. The classic quartet feel of this album is simply refreshing! MUST BUY!!!
5 OUT OF 5 STARS
FOR MORE INFORMATION: VISIT: www.2ndhalfquartet.com