Concert Review: Mark Trammell Trio (Shelby, OH, 7/20/08)
Last night, I had the chance to catch the Mark Trammell Trio in Shelby, OH.
First set:
- Won’t it Be Wonderful There (old one)
- I Still Believe
- Weary At the Well
- How Great Thou Art
- Moving the Hand of God
- Introductions
- There’s Something About That Name / In the Garden
- Hallelujah, I’m Going Home
- Glory Road
- Once Upon a Cross
The group got three standing ovations during their first set. The first was for Mark Trammell’s rendition of “How Great Thou Art.” Then they got back-to-back standing ovations for “Glory Road” and “Once Upon a Cross.”
Mark Trammell introduced “Glory Road” by explaining how he loved coffee and his wife didn’t care for it but fixed it for him anyhow since she loved him. He said he’d been singing “Glory Road” ever since he started in Southern Gospel thirty-four years before, even singing it at his first talent contest, and he’d performed it with every group he had been with since. He said that he was sick of the song, but like his wife making him coffee, he loved the audiences enough to do the song for them anyhow. Tenor Eric Phillips tore the song up, as always.
During group introductions, Trammell commented that, interestingly enough, this was their first concert at a Lutheran church.
During the intermission, Dustin Sweatman played two piano solos, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and a quartet-style mid-tempo piano solo. The song sounded familiar but I couldn’t place it.
Second set:
- Thank God I’m Free
- Walking with Jesus
- When Compared to God
- I Know that I Know
- I Believe In a Hill Called Mount Calvary
- Won’t it Be Wonderful There (new one)
“I Know that I Know” will be on their next project. They had a great routine leading into it, with Mark Trammell asking lead singer Dustin Sweatman about the song’s title. Dustin said something, to which Mark replied, “I Know, but what’s the song title?” Dustin said, “I Know that I Know.” Mark said, “That’s all good and well, but what’s the song title.” Dustin replied again. Mark ended up saying he gave up, and “just tell me what key it’s in.” (They played it in F.)
Mark Trammell got a standing ovation for his performance of “I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary.” The final song on their set, “Won’t it be Wonderful There” (this time, the newer Chris Allman-penned tune), also got a standing ovation (which was partly for the overall concert).
Blame it on whatever you like! Fact is, my reason is simple enough: I have no interest in any secular music. 
(jealous pout)
Comment by Donna (July 21, 2008, 9:34 am)
I’m so glad you got to see them live in concert, Daniel. I love this group.
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Comment by Paul (July 21, 2008, 9:37 am)
Daniel, It was great to see you and your family at the concert last night. It truly was a wonderful evening with the MTT.
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Comment by Daniel J. Mount (July 21, 2008, 9:44 am)
Paul–Great seeing you, too. Donna–this is now the fourth time I’ve seen them (once with Joseph Smith, three times with Dustin Sweatman)–not counting NQC. Their blend keeps getting better.
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Comment by Aaron Swain (July 21, 2008, 10:27 am)
MTT gives some of the finest concerts out there today. Glad you got to see them!
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Comment by Phil (July 21, 2008, 3:17 pm)
Interesting that they didn’t sing their latest single, “Even Thomas couldn’t doubt it”….
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