SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: GREAT MOMENTS- MARK TRAMMELL QUARTET
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
GREAT MOMENTS
MARK TRAMMELL QUARTET
LABEL: CRIMSON ROAD PRODUCTIONS
PRODUCER: MARK TRAMMELL, JEFF COLLINS
RELEASE DATE: NQC 2017
MEMBERS: MARK TRAMMELL (BARITONE), NICK TRAMMELL (LEAD), RANDY BYRD (BASS), BLAKE BUFFIN (TENOR), AND TREVOR CONKLE (PIANIST)
SONG LIST:
Jesus Is Coming Soon
He Touched Me
Learning To Lean
I Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now
The Lighthouse
I Know
He Is Mine, I Am His
Leave Your Sorrows
He Pilots My Ship
I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone
THOUGHTS:
In honor of the 60th Anniversary of the National Quartet Convention, Mark Trammell Quartet has released this great project entitled Great Moments. This collection of quartet classics in their original arrangements pays tribute to the pioneers of the field such as the Oak Ridge Boys, The Happy Goodmans, The Florida Boys, The Cathedrals, Bill Gaither, The Blackwood Brothers, and more.
The groups shines on the classic Oak Ridge Boys arrangement of "Jesus Is Coming Soon," which features Nick Trammell on the second verse. "He Touched Me," showcases the quartet's smooth harmonies and blend. Mark Trammell takes the lead on the second verse and tenor Blake Buffin shines on the classic rise in the last chorus. Next, the quartet honors the Blackwood Brothers with a beautiful rendition of "Learning To Lean," which features Blake Buffin. Buffin's tenor fits this song perfectly and has a similar tone to current Blackwood Brothers tenor Wayne Little. The quartet does justice to Happy Goodmans with a rousing rendition of their classic "I Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now." Mark Trammell takes the lead on the Hinsons standard "The Lighthouse," and delivers the lyric with emotion and power. Trammell proves why he is one of Southern Gospel's most beloved baritones with this amazing performance. This is one of my favorite tracks on this recording. Next, the groups takes on another Oak Ridge Boys classic "I Know," which is great fit for the strong lead of Nick Trammell. Mark Trammell and Blake Buffin are featured on GT Speer penned "He Is Mine, I Am His," which is the only song the record that I don't immediately recognize. However, it is a beautiful song that proclaims unwavering belief in Christ. Next, the quartet honors quartet's like the Cathedrals with the classic convention style song "Leave Your Sorrows." Bass singer Randy Byrd shines on "He Pilots My Ship," which has been recorded by many groups including The Hinsons, The Happy Goodmans, the Florida Boys, and the Cathedrals. This incredible record closes with a Mark Trammell solo track "I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone," which he pays tribute to the late Glen Payne of the Cathedrals.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
IF YOU LOVE CLASSIC SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC, THIS IS THE RECORDING FOR YOU. MARK TRAMMELL QUARTET DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB OF BRINGING LIFE TO THESE BEOVED SONGS AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT GROUPS OF THE PAST. EACH MEMBER GIVES TOP NOTCH VOCAL PERFORMANCES WITH THE STANDOUTS BEING MARK TRAMMELL ON "THE LIGHTHOUSE," RANDY BYRD ON "HE PILOTS MY SHIP," BLAKE BUFFIN ON "LEARNING TO LEAN," AND NICK TRAMMELL ON "I KNOW."
GET THIS ALBUM ASAP!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
5 OUT 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.marktrammellministries.com