SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: 50- MARK TRAMMELL QUARTET

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:

CD REVIEW:

50

MARK TRAMMELL QUARTET

LABEL: CRIMSON ROAD PRODUCTIONS, DAYWIND RECORDS

PRODUCER: TREY IVEY AND LARI GOSS

RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 2024

GROUP MEMBERS: MARK TRAMMELL (BARITONE), NICK TRAMMELL (LEAD), STEPHEN ADAIR (TENOR), WILL LANE (BASS), AND TREVOR CONKLE (PIANIST)

SONG LIST:

1. Can He, Could He, Would He (Dwight Liles, John Chisum)
2. Dig A Little Deeper (Kenneth Morris)
3. For What Earthly Reason (Dottie Rambo)
4. Meet Me Over On The Other Side (Linda Stalls)
5. Too Much To Gain To Lose (Dottie Rambo)
6. Pray (Joe Roper)
7. Heavenly Parade (Adger M. Pace, J.T. Cook)
8. Amazing Grace (John Newton/Public Domain) Arr. Trevor Conkle
9. This Old House (Stuart Hamblen)
10. Does Jesus Care (J. Lincoln Hall, Frank E. Graeff)

BREAKDOWN:

In 1974, a young singer stepped on the stage with his first Southern Gospel Quartet. Now, fifty years later, Mark Trammell is known and celebrated by fans all over the world. This “Quartet Man” is one of Southern Gospel’s most beloved baritone singers having been a part of several unforgettable quartet lineups over the years (including the Cathedrals, Gold City, the Kingsmen, and his own Mark Trammell Quartet).This incredible album celebrates Trammell’s fifty year career of sharing the Gospel in song with ten songs that bring back special memories for him personally.

This special recording opens with a stellar rendition of the Cathedrals classic “Can He, Could He, Would He.” This is one of the best versions that I have ever heard. Will Lane’s smooth bass anchors the group’s take on the a cappella classic “Dig A Little Deeper.” The group does the Cathedrals justice with this incredible version. Stephen Adair takes the lead on another Cathedrals classic “For What Earthly Reason.” This powerful song tells of the Savior’s Sacrifice. He gave His Life for me. Dying while I go free. The one earthly reason was me! Adair delivers a beautiful vocal on this classic. Next, the group revisits an MTQ favorite with “Meet Me Over On The Other Side,” a fun tune originally featured on their 2012 release Lifetime. Mark Trammell takes the lead on the Dottie Rambo classic “Too Much To Gain To Lose.” This powerful ballad looks to Heaven and the treasures that await. Trammell delivers an incredible vocal on this standard. “Pray” is a fun inclusion here as it is not often recorded to my knowledge. This catchy, jazzy tune was recorded by the Cathedrals on 1986’s Master Builder. The group masterfully covers the classic “Heavenly Parade” and stays true to the Cathedrals a cappella arrangement. Next, Trevor Conkle delivers an incredible piano led- instrumental of “Amazing Grace.” Will Lane takes the lead on the bass singer standard “This Old House.” Lane does an incredible job with this classic George Younce led Cathedral classic. This incredible album closes with a powerful rendition of “Does Jesus Care” featuring Mark Trammell. This incredible song reminds us of God’s faithfulness. I know He cares. “When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.”

FINAL THOUGHTS:

THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE TRIBUTE TO A LIVING LEGEND. MARK TRAMMELL IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL QUARTET MAN AND THIS PROJECT SHOWCASES THAT MASTERFULLY. I LOVE THE SONG SELECTION WHICH INCLUDED SONGS NOT OFTEN RECORDED. STELLAR VOCALS, TOP NOTCH PRODUCTION QUALITY, AND INCREDIBLE SONGS. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “CAN HE, COULD HE, WOULD HE,” “PRAY,” “MEET ME OVER ON THE OTHER SIDE,” “DIG A LITTLE DEEPER,” “HEAVENLY PARADE,” “FOR WHAT EARTHLY REASION,” AND “THIS OLD HOUSE.”

5 OUT OF 5 STARS!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.marktrammellministries.com