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Sunday Edition


31
Oct
2005
Triumphant Quartet - Triumphant Quartet


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Label: Daywind Records
Producer: Steve Mauldin
Website: http://www.triumphantquartet.com and http://www.daywindrecords.com
Song Titles: "One Holy Morning," "Forgave Me, Saved Me, Raised Me," "Back To Me," "Don't Let The Sandals Fool Ya," "Across The River," "Now He Knows What Heaven's All About," "Hey Jonah," "Rock Bottom," "Love Is The Key," and "I'd Tell You About Jesus"

Triumphant Quartet is back with a follow-up to 2004's 5-Star rated Home Free CD. The new self-titled CD is produced, arranged, and orchestrated by Steve Mauldin . The release of this CD in retail stores is set for December 2005, so you're getting a nice advanced preview if you're reading this review shortly after it was written.

"Don't Let The Sandals Fool Ya" is the group's first radio single from the new CD. It should do well on the charts with this catchy arrangement and the lyrical hook expressed in the title. The opening song, "One Holy Morning," is the best cut overall, though. The arrangement begins with a movie soundtrack feel that carries through the first verse, then the chorus kicks in, blending orchestrated elements with a familiar Southern Gospel rhythm. "One Holy Morning" has some great lyrics on the topic of Christ's resurrection, too, from the songwriting team of Niles Borop and Daryl Williams . This is really an Easter song, so perhaps Daywind will push it as a single early next year to coincide with the season.

An elaborate piano intro by Jeff Stice opens the Jerry Kelso / Sue C. Smith tune "Forgave Me, Saved Me, Raised Me." This song is in a classic Southern quartet style showcasing tenor David Sutton . Other song highlights on Triumphant Quartet's new project include "Across The River" (a slow song featuring Eric Bennett ), "Hey Jonah" (an uptempo fun number with plenty of brass horn stabs, co-written by Scott Inman and Diane Wilkinson ), and "Love Is The Key" (written by Stice and featuring a jazz vocal intro). Following the intro, "Love Is The Key" kicks the tempo up considerably and gives Bennett a chance to shine by dropping out the bottom on a few notes. There's so many places they could have gone with this tune by developing it further, though. It feels way too short at just under two minutes. David Sutton is featured on the easy going closing track titled "I'd Tell You About Jesus." This song may never be sent to radio, but it's an excellent "reason why we sing" type song that would work well near the end of a live concert.

While Triumphant Quartet lacks some of the spontanaity that made Home Free so much fun from beginning to end, it has several moments that capture a similar feel. Steve Mauldin's arrangements are more detail oriented, but I miss some of the attention grabbing elements Otis Forrest incorporated in the previous project. Overall, this is a very solid 4 1/2 Star level product. Any fan of male quartet music should enjoy it.

Reader Comments

James Hales's avatar I'm with you David all the way around. I feel "One Holy Morning" is THE song from this project. My hunch is they may release it in February/March, just in time for Easter. Time will tell.

I'm still not sold on "Don't Let the Sandals Fool Ya." Sounds more like a novelty tune. But, I may be "fooled"...it may be a hit. Again, time will tell.

Overall though, this is as solid of quartet record as they come. I always been a big fan of Steve Mauldin's productions. Very clean, fresh and classy...never over the top. He did very well with this one.


Commented by On 11/01/2005
I'd say "Don't Let The Sandals Fool Ya" is more of a "gimmick" lyric than novelty. It's the type of hook that catches the ear and tends to be popular. I'm not all that crazy about the song personally, though I can see why it was an immediate choice for a single.

I was being objective about the song in the review. When my personal taste is in conflict with the level of craft that went into a recording, it's the craft that I try to emphasize in a review. If I really like the song as well, I'll say that (as I did with "One Holy Morning"). There have even been rare ocassions where I really liked a song that didn't necessarily cut the mustard in terms of craft, so I've said in the past that I really liked a song in spite of its flaws.

What it boils down to is readers get doses of subjectivity and objectivity, even if they don't realize it. :o)


Commented by David Bruce Murray On 11/02/2005
This was an AWESOME project! Triumphant Quartet keeps getting better and better! I love it!


Commented by On 11/02/2005
I really love the Triumphant Quartet! I really love this album and that song, "Don't Let the Sandals Fool Ya'"! I think they sound a little bit better than they did before. They really are a great group that any southern gospel music fan should have! I will definitely buy this cd when I get my hands on it! Also, great review!


Commented by On 11/04/2005
I think that Triumphant quartet has 5 guys who genuinely love what they do and I feel that it truly shows in this recording. In a time where many of the older fans are looking for their new favorites after the passing of so many great leaders of the SG industry, Triumphant stands out to me as a group who through recordings and concerts can GRAB the audiences attention and give them a reason to love these guys. I feel that many of those fans who are looking for their new "favorite" will be turning to these guys as they continue to gain momentum. I'm telling you, keep your eyes on Triumphant Quartet. In my opinion, all these guys have to do is keep their group together and continue to love what they do. Then we will see who becomes an enormous crowd favorite.


Commented by On 12/24/2005
Well all I can say is that some things don't always seem like what they really are.


Commented by On 12/26/2005
Deon Unthank's avatar I'm sure that the statement above was supposed to be a jab, but it just doesn't make any sense, other than you were trying to say something negative.

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 12/27/2005
These guys are men who love the Lord and love doing what God has called them to do. They have awesome talent, some of the best harmony, awesome songs, and it just goes on and on with these guys.
What an incredible group Triumphant Quartet is!!
This CD being reviewed is a great CD,I love it.


Commented by On 12/27/2005
I thought "Don't Let the Sandals Fool Ya" was going to be another ear tickling, toe-tapping shallow tune. I am happy to admit that was wrong! Yes the tune is great, but the lyrics have a very sharp hook in them which makes the listener focus their attention on the Divinity of Jesus. Great job guys!


Commented by James Egge On 08/27/2007
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