SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: STILL STANDING- MARK TRAMMELL QUARTET

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:

STILL STANDING

MARK TRAMMELL QUARTET

LABEL: CRIMSON ROAD PRODUCTIONS

PRODUCER: MARK TRAMMELL, TREY IVEY

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 2021

GROUP MEMBER: MARK TRAMMELL (BARITONE), NICK TRAMMELL (LEAD), RANDY BYRD (BASS), TREVOR CONKLE (PIANIST), AND STEPHEN ADAIR (TENOR)

SONG LIST:

1. Still Standing After The Storm (Rodney Griffin)

2. Come Thou Fount Medley (arr. Trey Ivey)

3. For The Life Of Me (Nick Trammell)

4. Better Shores (Kristi Fitzwater, Lee Black)

5. What We Need (Chris Allman, Bruce Dockery)

6. Walking With The Lord (Lee Black)

7. Run To The Door (Rodney Griffin)

8. It Must Be Leaving Time (Rodney Griffin)

9. On The Rock Of Ages (Rebecca J. Peck, Dianne Wilkinson)

10. We Shall See Jesus (Dianne Wilkinson)

THOUGHTS:

After what seemed to be a dry spell in terms of music releases, the floodgates have opened! Mark Trammell Quartet is among the many groups to release a new project within the last two months. MTQ’s Still Standing is the first project to feature new tenor singer Stephen Adair, formerly of the Dixie Echoes. This exciting new project features eight new tracks, a beautiful “Come Thou Fount” hymn medley and a new rendition of the Cathedrals classic “We Shall See Jesus.” This album is sure to delight fans of classic quartet singing.

“Still Standing,” the title track, opens the album with high energy. This classic MTQ style quartet song reminds us that Christ can bring us through any storm. The quartet’s harmonies are on display on the beautiful “Come Thou Fount Medley” arranged by producer Trey Ivey. Nick Trammell takes the lead on the mid-tempo track “For The Life Of Me,” which tells of Christ’s sacrifice for us. “Better Shores” is a fun tune featuring bass singer Randy Byrd that reminds us that God can even use a storm to take us to “better shores.” Stephen Adair shines on “What We Need,” a beautiful ballad that encourages believers to stand our ground and turn away from sin. We need an old time revival. Adair is an underrated tenor. His feature here truly impressed me. “Walking With The Lord” is a fun, quartet tune that encourages listeners to walk with Jesus on the Heavenly way. “Run To The Door” is another fun tune that encourages listeners to run to Christ, Our Refuge. Come find what you’re longing for. The quartet’s stellar harmonies shine once again on the bouncy, mid-tempo “It Must Be Leaving Time.” This fun song tells of the day we will join Jesus in Heaven. “On The Rock Of Ages” is another mid-tempo tune that encourages listeners to place your faith in Christ for He will keep you safe. Mark Trammell’s smooth baritone is featured on the second verse of the great song. Trammell also takes the lead on the classic “We Shall See Jesus” in a stirring rendition that honors the Cathedral Quartet version.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

MARK TRAMMELL QUARTET DELIVERS YET ANOTHER GREAT ALBUM WITH STILL STANDING. GREAT VOCALS, TOP NOTCH MUSICIANSHIP, AND WELL CRAFTED SONGS. STEPHEN ADAIR IS AN INCREDIBLE ADDITION TO THE GROUP AND BLENDS WITH THEM PERFECTLY. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “BETTER SHORES,” “WE SHALL SEE JESUS,” “WHAT WE NEED,” AND “STILL STANDING AFTER THE STORM.”

4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.marktrammellministries.com