Mark Trammell Trio - Beside Still Waters, CD Review

Jun

2004

Mark Trammell Trio - Beside Still Waters

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[9] Comments

Label: Daywind Music
Producer: Wayne Haun
Website: www.marktrammellministries.com

Beside Still Waters is the first major Daywind release from the Mark Trammell Trio that features uber-producer Wayne Haun's involvement on each track. Previously, Haun had only produced select tracks on the group's projects. As expected, this project from Trammell, Joseph Smith and Eric Phillips is the best yet in their tenure together.

An a capella medley of “Jesus Christ, My Rock Forever/The Solid Rock” starts the recording by showcasing the sweet, pleasing harmony that this trio is capable of producing. “Stand and Praise The Lord” is a fantastic up-tempo pure southern gospel song that immediately jumped out as my favorite song on the project. “The Love of Christ” takes the trio in a bluegrass/country direction with strong guitar, banjo, fiddle and steel guitar accompaniment. “I Am Free” feels like a ballad but actually has a medium tempo and features Trammell. “Every Time I Call Your Name” is a good song that sounds like it could have come straight from the Church of God red-back hymnal. “I'd Do It All Over Again” is a big-band take on a Bill Gaither song that again features Trammell. “When I Stand In The Presence” is a true big ballad that features Phillips' pleasing tenor.

As stated earlier, this project is the Mark Trammell Trio's best effort so far. The group has great harmony and they sound like they have been singing together for more than just a couple of years. There are many very good songs on this project and some good arrangements. I would like to have heard the group stretch themselves vocally a little more on some songs. It seems that each vocalist stayed well within their comfort zone on most arrangements and the result is a pleasing project, but not one that is particularly exciting. Nevertheless, I am glad that I have this project in my collection and would not hesitate to recommend the Mark Trammell Trio's Beside Still Waters to any fan looking for some good smooth-sounding southern gospel music.

Other Songs: “Willing”, “When They Ring The Bells Of Heaven”, “Beside Still Waters”, “According To The Scriptures”

Reader Comments

I agree with Scot's comments completely. I also give this CD a 4 star rating. As Scot mentioned, _Beside Still Waters_ is definitely the best MTT project so far from a production quality perspective. This group has the skills to top this, though. I'm still waiting for a MTT CD that will hold my attention from beginning to end.

“Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more."---Mark Twain

Commented by David B. Murray On 06/15/2004

I agree with this review. This is definitely the best recording MTT has done. Production wise, it’s superb. Lyrically, it’s superb as well. But, there lacks spontaneity. There aren’t but a few songs that really stand out for me…”Stand and Praise the Lord”, “When I Stand in the Presence” (which Mark and his brother Jerry wrote back in the 70s and the Florida Boys recorded and charted in the late 70s), “I Am Free” and “The Love of Christ.”

I wasn’t impressed at all with their arrangement of “When They Ring the Bells of Heaven”. The tempo is much too slow.

I think what is a hindrance to them is that Mark and Joseph have very similar ranges, therefore, it doesn’t allow them to really tackle certain songs.

This is a very good recording…4 stars definitely. But nothing to really just make me say WOW…THAT’S AWESOME!

Commented by On 06/16/2004

I just got this CD last night. IMO, it's the best CD that's been put out all year.

Commented by On 07/02/2004

I have never listened to the Mark Trammell Trio much but I have fallen in love with "The Love of Christ." I absolutely love the song and they do an outstanding job on it. I don't have the cd yet but I definitely want it. I listen to the clip on their website all the time and call and request it at the radio station usually once a day.

Commented by On 07/21/2004

when you have the number of REAL years in Southern Gospel Music as Mark .... then JUST maybe you would have the experince to know what your talking about.

IF you would spend the same time talking about the goodness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as you to tring to be clever ... then your words here would be worth reading.

Commented by On 07/31/2004

Writing CD reviews has to be a notch or two more worthwhile than posting comments beneath them, though, doesn't it? :o)

“Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more."---Mark Twain

Commented by David B. Murray On 08/01/2004

Frankly, the number of years that Mark Tramel has been in SGM has absolutely nothing to do with his CD review. If you want to talk about the goodness of the Lord, we have a place for that on the Theology section, this section is for CD reviews, and an honest review was given. Scot liked this CD better than I did, but he gave an excellent review.

Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog

Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown

Commented by On 08/01/2004

I tried to be optomistic about this release, but I have yet to find a song by them that grabs me and makes me want to listen again. They are fine singers, and production is good, but IMO they need to bring in someone new to pick material for them.
As I said, they have plenty of talent, but everything they've done to this point I would catagorize as very forgettable.

Commented by Jim Brown On 08/21/2004

Jim,

I agree with your comments, except I think they have recorded at least one memorable song . . . "It's Jesus." If they'd record in that vein more often, they'd get more favorable responses from radio, audiences, and critics too.

MTT has released some good stuff. However, we all know they have the ability to produce great stuff, so hopefully these comments will challenge them to really go for it next time.

Commented by On 08/21/2004

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