Dec 05

The Mark Trammell Quartet, Supercharged

In this age of instantaneous global communication, I know I’m somewhere around the 200th person to make a post “announcing” the addition of Eric Phillips to the Mark Trammell Quartet.  Bro. Mark did it right, and took his time prayerfully considering who God would want for the quartet at this time.  I’m sure the group and all of us who were praying with him can rejoice in this answer to prayer!  Many longtime fans of this group likely couldn’t help but think of Eric when the tenor opening was announced.  Isn’t it great how God is faithful to give us the desires of our heart if we seek His will?

 

I spent my morning commute listening to one of my favorite albums of all time, the Mark Trammell Trio’s Always Have a Song, which was the last recorded with Eric Phillips at tenor, and imagining what it would be like with a bass singer.  Already with one of the best bass singers in gospel music, and now with one of the great high tenors of this generation, the sky is the limit for the Mark Trammell Quartet.  Sometime next year, they will record and release what will hopefully be their best project yet.  I know I can’t wait.

 

Here is the Mark Trammell Trio singing their biggest song on Eric’s last night with the group, over two years ago.

Dec 03

Hark The Herald Angels Sing….Southern Gospel Style

I make no bones about the Kingdom Heirs being one of my favorite groups.  I am especially fond of their Christmas music and here is a little glimpse of why:

 

Dec 01

Top 100: #35 Mississippi Live (Kingsmen)

Release Year: 1987

Album Rank for Group: #2 of 2

Here’s a blurb: The first Kingsmen CD I ever got was the double CD of Stand Up at Opryland and Mississippi Live.  That lineup and sound stuck with me immediately, and those are still two of my favorite albums today.  Mississippi Live has a couple of tremendous songs, but doesn’t have the depth of great songs of its companion, which we will look at later in the countdown.  For someone like me who only became aware of the Kingsmen relatively recently, these live albums give a glimpse of what a live Kingsmen experience was like.  It was surely an experience like no other in southern gospel.  Arthur Rice is the “x-factor” that really puts the icing on the cake for this era of the group.  With him in the fold, they were able to take the songs into the rafters, all with that unmatched Kingsmen energy.

Knock my socks off: He’s Still Living, When We All Get to Heaven (instrumental), Tell Everyone You Know

Don’t skip that one: We Will Sing, Inside the Gate, When Mama Prayed (Heaven Paid Attention)

I could honestly do without: Look for Me at Jesus’ Feet, Stand Up (better versions on earlier albums)

Nov 30

Top 100: #36 Portrait (Gold City)

Release Year: 1988

Album Rank for Group: #11 of 15

Here’s a blurb: I don’t know if Portrait is among those cited by critics as Gold City’s most important albums, but it has always been one of my personal favorites, the best of the studio albums recorded by the 1980s supergroup.  The quartet doesn’t sound particularly better here than on other recordings; I just love these songs.  Ronny Hinson wrote four of them, and other writers include Squire Parsons, Gerald Crabb, and even a young Ernie Haase.  This album includes the first Gold City song I ever heard, “Oh What a Day.”  (Strangely, this happened not in the 1980s, but in the 2000s).  So maybe it’s just sentimental value, but Portrait still stands high in my collection of gospel music.

Knock my socks off: Calvary’s Hill, Oh What a Day, Once Upon a Hill

Don’t skip that one: Jesus Will Lead Me, Still Small Voice, We’re Gonna Rise

I could honestly do without: I Love to Pray

Nov 29

Quick Hits 2

Journey (Libbi Perry Stuffle)

This album is a mixture of new songs (with plenty of great guest vocalists) and re-recordings of Perrys songs featuring Libbi.  I’m not much for solo records, but the various guest vocalists give each new song the sound of a different group, from mixed quartet to bluegrass trio.  I love the variety of styles and the quality of the new songs, and the old songs are wisely chosen and placed.  This is a CD I enjoyed from beginning to end.

4.5 stars

Best tracks: Jesus Hold My Hand, I’m Not a Failure, Now I Have Everything, Daddy Sang Bass/Reunited

Might want to skip: None

 

Somebody’s Coming (Gold City)

Probably one of the most anticipated releases of the year because of the delay caused by personnel turnover, Somebody’s Coming is a solid recording.  It leans toward the country sound the quartet developed with their last few recordings, but doesn’t go quite so far off the traditional path as Revival or Moment of Truth.  In that regard, it’s somewhere between Heaven (2005) and Revival (2006).  The songs were clearly picked out with a Bruce Taliafero/Craig West/Michael English style lead, but Jerry Pelfrey holds his own on his features.  The quartet sounds excellent, and Tim Riley is still a monster of a bass singer.  I would have preferred some more traditional quartet songs, but this is good and much-needed infusion of new Gold City music.

4 Stars

Best tracks: Showers of Blessing, Footprints on the Water, Lord of Life, I Get Down

Might want to skip: Somebody’s Coming

 

Live (Dove Brothers)

Much has been made of the Dove Brothers bringing the live band back into quartet music, and according to all accounts, they have had great success.  This live album is an excellent introductory showcase to this new live band era of the Dove Brothers.  There are several new songs, and a few recent Dove Brothers hits.  On a live album, one of the key components to look for is energy, and this recording definitely has that, particularly on uptempo numbers like “I Recall” and “Shout It Out”.  The live band and this type of album are a perfect match for the quartet’s full-on country sound.  I do have to deduct though, for the plenteous talking on the album, which is not separated from the song tracks.

4 stars

Best tracks: Shout It Out, I Recall, My Soul Has Been Set Free, He Made a Change in Me

Might want to skip: Were You There, We Gotta Love

 

Sometimes I Cry (Gerald Crabb)

This solo effort from one of gospel music’s most prominent songwriters is indeed somewhat reminiscent of the outlaw country era of Willie, Waylon, and Merle (hat tip, Friday Night Revival), with a healthy dose of blues.  Crabb’s voice is rough, but sincere.  The music is very simple and primarily acoustic.  The songs are honest reflections on the Christian experience.  That is clearly the theme, but it also a weakness to me.  There’s so much about these human experiences (which are clearly those of a Christian), but the things of God are primarily sung about indirectly.  Honest songs about life are what country music is all about, and those songs have their place, but an album full of them almost gets me a little depressed.  Maybe a few more songs mixed in about the joys of salvation, serving Jesus, and heaven would have helped brighten it up for me.  The musicianship is great on this project, but take the lyrics in small doses.

3.5 stars

Best tracks: Sometimes I Cry, Livin’ in Me

Might want to skip: Ole Friend I’m Gonna Miss You

Nov 28

Quick Hits

Lots of great CDs have come across my “desk” lately, and I just don’t have the time to give each the full review they probably deserve.  But I want to get something out there, so today and tomorrow, I will give very brief reviews of these projects.  Enjoy!

Family Ties (Wilburn & Wilburn)

With the exception of a couple of songs, most of this recording is either Jonathan or Jordan Wilburn featured in a primarily solo setting, with background vocals.  Maybe adding a tenor or alto could solidify more of a “group” sound.  The good news is that this CD has some excellent songs, and the father and son are both in fine vocal form.  It’s very much a country-style album (with some bluegrass and blues thrown in), with several songs that really jump out musically and lyrically.  It’s a fun listen, even if you’re more of a quartet man like me.

4. 5 stars

Best tracks: A Cross Became My Saving Grace, Jesus Will, Devil Be Gone, I John, You’ll Still Be There

Might want to skip: Mama

 

A Wonderful Life (Legacy Five)

This is just the type of recording we’ve come to expect from Legacy Five.  They are not what you’d call a power quartet, with a large chunk of their material being light, jazzy fare.  The cover of “For What Earthly Reason” is very well done, though not the caliber of the iconic original.  There are several solid songs and the quartet has a nice blend, but there are maybe a couple too many of those diddies.

4 stars

Best tracks: Living in the Palace, Destination Known, For What Earthly Reason, Nobody Ever Loved Me Like God Does

Might want to skip: God Is Still in America, God Had a Hand in It

 

Modern Pioneers (Song of David)

I have to admit I had never heard of this guy (actually a soloist named David Bryan) until I received this CD, but I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of some of the songs.  Bryan is a modern country-style singer, and the music here is predominantly the type you would find on a country album.  For something that sounded so strongly like a secular country recording, there are really some great gospel lyrics.  The cover of “The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me” is a real standout.  The bad news is that there aren’t quite enough good songs to make it a great recording from top to bottom.  But most gospel music fans should find some stuff to like here.

3.5 stars

Best tracks: The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me, Power in His Name, Peace (When I Leave It in Your Hands)

Might want to skip: Modern Pioneers, One Step

Brighter One (Marshall Hall)

The first post-Gaither Vocal Band solo effort from Marshall Hall is certainly on the progressive side, with an eclectic mixture of styles.  Fans of progressive gospel or contemporary Christian music, and big fans of Hall himself, will find a lot to like on this album.  Traditional quartet fans will have a hard time with it.  Personally, I like Marshall’s vocal abilities and I found some songs to be enjoyable, but it was a difficult listen for me overall.

3 stars

Best tracks: 30 seconds of I’ll Fly Away, There Is Nothing Greater Than Grace, I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About to Happen

Might want to skip: Alive, Beautiful Scandalous Night

Nov 24

Happy Thanksgiving!

From Southern Gospel Critique, hope you have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.  May the Lord bring to your mind all His many blessings today, and may we all give Him the praise He deserves.  This song written and sung by the great Chris Allman says it all.