CD Review: Always Have a Song (Mark Trammell Trio)
Rating: 5 (of 5)
Average Song Rating: 4.5 (of 5)
Producer: Wayne Haun.
Song List: I Know That I know; Loving the Lamb; Called In, Called Up, Called Out; What Good Would a Crown Be; Safe On the Glory Side; If God Said It, I Believe It; At The Whisper of His Name; I Always Have a Song to Sing; If Only Just a Few; Coming Out and Moving In.
Available from: Artist (at least at concerts).
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During the years Mark Trammell sang with Gold City, the group had a certain distinctive mix of songs on each project—several big ballads, several convention numbers, and at least one brass-driven number and one Black Gospel-influenced number. The Mark Trammell Trio doesn’t have a Jonathan Wilburn in the group, so the project doesn’t have any Black Gospel songs. But with that exception, this project could pass for a Trammell-era Gold City project sans a bass singer.
The project has three convention songs, “I Always Have a Song to Sing,” “Called In, Called Up, Called Out,” and “Coming Out and Moving In.” The latter two, both penned by Kyla Rowland (though “Called In” was co-written with Dianne Wilkinson), are tenor-led songs in the tradition of Gold City’s “Isn’t He Wonderful” or “More Like Jesus.”
“If God Said It, I Believe It,” co-written by lead singer Dustin Sweatman and Dianne Wilkinson, is given a brass-driven treatment.
The project has three big ballads, “Loving the Lamb,” “What Good Would a Crown Be,” and “If Only Just a Few.” “What Good Would a Crown Be” is Dustin Sweatman’s first big ballad on a Mark Trammell Trio project; the other two feature Mark Trammell. Both of Trammell’s features got strong responses at NQC 2008; while Kyla Rowland’s “Loving the Lamb” is likely to be sent to radio first, the Rodney Griffin-penned “If Only Just a Few” would probably also do well. (It’s the sort of song that makes you wonder why Greater Vision didn’t do it themselves. But it’s lyrically a Biblical-era “Just One More Soul,” and perhaps Griffin just thought it fit Mark Trammell’s voice better.)
“Safe on the Glory Side” is a mid-tempo Dianne Wilkinson song that has been getting a strong response in live concerts. It brings to mind Jay Parrack’s solos even more than Eric Phillips’ earlier solos (”In Time, On Time, Every Time” is the closest comparison I can think of, but that doesn’t quite capture the song’s feel.)
This project could just as easily have been recorded by a quartet. Some groups, like the Booth Brothers, are so much a trio that one could not imagine them with a bass singer. But the Mark Trammell is the best quartet-without-a-bass-singer in Southern Gospel today.
Except for that missing bass part, this project sounds like it could have come straight from Gold City during its Mark Trammell era. But all Gold City comparisions aside, it’s a strong project in its own right and sets the standard by which other Mark Trammell Trio projects are measured for years to come.
I was speaking of it highly...
Comment by MattPaasch (October 10, 2008, 9:48 am)
“Mark Trammell is the best quartet-without-a-bass-singer in Southern Gospel today.”
I agree! That’s probably why they are my favorite trio. Not only that, I really like this new album. “If God Said It, I Believe It,” is probably my favorite off the album. It’s got that catchy feel to it, that it makes you wanna just join along. This album is one of their best so far, in my opinion, Although, my favorite is still “Journey Thus Far”.
Comment by Noah Lyons (October 10, 2008, 11:46 am)
I love this CD every song I like I can’t skip one. I think they will just keep getting better and better as time goes by maybe some day I can even get to sing with them .hehehehe
Comment by Chris Unthank (October 10, 2008, 12:48 pm)
“Loving the Lamb” was released to SG radio the week after NQC.
It’s an incredibly boring song and way too long, IMHO.
Comment by Daniel J. Mount (October 10, 2008, 12:49 pm)
Funny how different tastes can be. I personally love the song. I’ll also note that it got multiple standing ovations at NQC, mainstage and radio DJ’s showcase.
Comment by Larry Bedford (October 10, 2008, 7:17 pm)
I got to see MTT in Hickory,N.C. two weeks ago, this is my second time seeing them. I think they have a great sound, I especially like Eric Phillips tenor voice, smooth and not too much squealing. I like all the songs especially At The Whisper Of His Name and I Always Have A Song To Sing.
Comment by Chris Unthank (October 11, 2008, 4:54 pm)
Well, I’m listening to it with “radio” ears - and not live performance ears. There are lots of songs that do really well live but flop at radio - “She Cries” by the Hoppers and “My Country” by Jeff & Sheri Easter are two prime examples.
Comment by David Bruce Murray (October 11, 2008, 5:43 pm)
Two or three songs on this CD sound indistinguishable from Greater Vision, particularly the first song.
“Loving The Lamb” is a good song in that it’s well written and it showcases Mark Trammell in his characteristic style (unlike some of the Greater Vision clones).
Maybe “Loving The Lamb” will do well at radio, but I think “Called In, Called Up, Called Out” would be a better choice. It also features Mark singing a characteristic second verse showcasing his baritone to near-tenor range.
Comment by Daniel J. Mount (October 11, 2008, 6:47 pm)
For whatever it’s worth, in a weird conflation of radio and live performance, a friend (and no, not someone in the group!) told me that MTT sang “Loving the Lamb” for a DJs showcase and got a rousing standing ovation.
Comment by Neil Enloe (October 13, 2008, 11:57 am)
I haven’t had the privilege of hearing the recording at issue, but I have a deep appreciation for the Christian integrity and character of Mark Trammell. His commitment to excellence in all facets of his music ministry is echoed throughout his group. SG is blessed to have such expert representation of its finest in the MTT.
Comment by Noah Lyons (October 13, 2008, 12:45 pm)
I love that song and I don’t think it is to long. Everyone in my church loves it when I play that sing before church. It has such a good message.
Comment by Chris Unthank (October 13, 2008, 1:49 pm)
Daniel - that very well may be. But for me - it’s way too boring and long.