SWOT Analysis – Mark Trammell Quartet

A new week brings a new SWOT analysis.  This week, Southern Gospel Views from the Back Row takes a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Mark Trammell Quartet.  Undoubtedly one of the most recognized names in Southern Gospel quartet music, Mark Trammell has spent time with three of the biggest quartets in this genre’s history.

Early in Mark’s career found him with the Kingsmen, then on to the Cathedrals and finally moving to Gold City.  Mark left Gold City and in 2002 formed the Mark Trammell Trio.  Being a quartet man, one would wonder why it took until 2010 for Mark to add a bass singer and form the Mark Trammell Quartet.

STRENGTHS

• Mark Trammell:  Is there really anything else to put here?  Mark Trammell is the star of the show.  This group would not be where they are at, in terms of popularity, if not for the name of Mark Trammell.
• Adding A Bass Singer:  Adding a bass singer was the best thing Mark Trammell could have done.  As a trio, the group could never really be considered a top-tier group, even with the name Mark Trammell behind it.  And adding a bass singer with the vocal chops of Pat Barker can only be considered a double win.
• Relationship With Daywind Records:  The Mark Trammell Quartet (formerly trio) garnered greater attention as a result of their recording relationship with Daywind Records.  One can’t deny the fact that Daywind does push their artists (as a label should).
• The Trifecta (Cathedrals/Gold City/Kingsmen):  Even though his greatest recognition comes with his time spent with the Cathedrals, how many other quartet men can say they performed with three of the biggest quartet names in Southern Gospel history.

WEAKNESSES

• Use of Tracks:  I know, lets continue to beat a dead horse but it is what it is.  The Mark Trammell Quartet does have a spot in their program where they use just piano and bass.  More of that please!
• Greater Vision Lite:  When the group was a trio, they reminded me of just another Greater Vision.  Their sound/style/song selection was so similar to Greater Vision that I will admit I didn’t give the group a chance of winning me over.  My thought was, the industry already had a Greater Vision, it doesn’t need another.  Luckily, that changed when the group added a bass singer.
• Following The Pack:  Southern Gospel music is filled with many quartets who sound good and offer the listening audience a good concert experience, but never move past that to become the quartet leader.  There were many strong quartets through Southern Gospel’s history that never achieved that and still did just fine.  The Mark Trammell Quartet is still in that place where they are offering the listening audience good quartet music, but they haven’t separated themselves from the pack.  With someone like Mark Trammell leading this group, I think the quartet could become a quartet leader.  Only time will tell.

OPPORTUNITIES

• A Mega Song:  Every major Southern Gospel mega-group also has that mega-song that propelled them to that next level.  The Mark Trammell Quartet needs that mega-song.

THREATS

• Remaining Just Another Good Quartet:  As mentioned above, the Mark Trammell Quartet never moving out of that good quartet realm with all the other good quartets.  It’s a crowded field and doing something to separate yourself from the rest is a tough thing to do.  The biggest groups in the industry are those who have built individuality.
• Personnel Shifts:  Nothing hurts a group’s momentum more than someone leaving the group.  While inevitable in Southern Gospel music, the less turnover you have the better.

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  KAREN PECK & NEW RIVER***

Another Concert Review And More Free Music

Friday (05/25/12), I decided to go to South Iredell High School in Troutman NC to see the Nelons.  I had a chance to catch the group at the beginning of the month, but since they were so close to home, I figured why not?  They performed a lot of the same songs from the other concert but turned in several power house a cappella numbers.

“Down To The River” and “Were You There” were absolutely flawless.  Amber Thompson has become one of the top female vocalists in Southern Gospel music.  Her performance on the last verse of an a cappella version of “Were You There” had the crowd on their feet.  Amazing!

It was nice to hear Kelly on “Settled At The Cross” and the crowd loved the up tempo closer, “I’m Going Home With Jesus”.  So, in honor of another good concert performance I feel like giving away some more free music.  The first person to email (swea215@yahoo.com) me the answer to the following trivia question will win a brand new, unopened copy of the Nelons new CD, Come On Home.

***Who was the first/only group to take the song “I’m Going Home With Jesus” to #1 on the Southern Gospel charts?***

UPDATE:  Congratulations to Bradley for being the first to answer the McGruders as the correct answer to the trivia question.  Consider this contest closed.  Thanks everyone for participating and keep checking back because I plan to give away free music all summer.

Ten On Ten – Blackwood Brothers

Another reader request gives us this week’s ten on ten feature of the Blackwood Brothers.  Along with the Statesmen Quartet, the Blackwood Brothers dominated the gospel quartet world of the ’50′s/early ’60′s.  Anchored by the strong lead vocal of James Blackwood, who would tour with the group through the early ’80′s.

Trying to compile a list of the ten best recordings of a group like the Blackwood Brothers is not an easy task.  Here is the final result.

The Blackwood Brothers ten best recordings are as follows:

1. The Keys To The Kingdom (1962)
2. In Concert (1960)
3. Paradise Island (1959)
4. His Hands (1958)
5. On Stage (1963)
6. Hymn Sing (1956)
7. The Fabulous Blackwood Brothers Quartet (1968)
8. The Pearly White City (1961)
9. Learning To Lean (1976)
10. The Sound Of Gospel Music (1966)

• Unlike most groups that have that definitive album that defines them, the Blackwood Brothers released several strong recordings in the late 1950′s and early 1960′s that could be considered their #1.  After going over it several times, I went with my gut and gave top honors to the group’s 1962 RCA Camden recording The Keys To The Kingdom.
• This time period was one of the strongest vocal line-ups the Blackwood Brothers had in their career outside the original group.  Bill Shaw (tenor), James Blackwood (lead), Cecil Blackwood (baritone), JD Sumner (bass) and Wally Varner (pianist) thrilled audiences night after night.
• “Walkin’ And Talkin’ With My Lord”, “The Keys To The Kingdom”, “I Won’t Have To Cross Jordan Alone”, “Wonderful Love”, “Rock-A-My-Soul” and “Every Day Will Be Sunday” all highlighted this recording.
• Along with the Statesmen, the Blackwood Brothers recorded a concert recording in 1960.  Their In Concert album ranks #2 among the group’s best.  Listening to these early concert recordings is a treat for those of us not around during the time period.  This is another of those recordings every Southern Gospel quartet lover should have in their collection.
• One of the most unusual album’s recorded in Southern Gospel music was the Blackwood Brothers 1959 recording, Paradise Island.  A true concept album, taking the sounds of the Hawaiian Islands and translating them to quartet music created one of the more unique recordings in the genre’s history.  This album ranks #3 among the group’s ten best.
• As was the case with the Statesmen, the Blackwood Brothers best recordings were recorded with RCA (Victor/Camden).  Nine of the group’s ten best were with RCA.  The one lonely Skylite recording in the top ten is the 1976 recording Learning To Lean.  If for nothing else but containing the biggest song (“Learning To Lean”) in Southern Gospel chart history, the album deserved a spot (#9) in the top ten.
• One of the group’s first RCA albums, Hymn Sing, from 1956 lands at #6 among the group’s ten best.  A lesson in Southern Gospel quartet singing is given on this particular album.  Classic music such as “I Saw A Man”, “Heavenly Love”, ‘I Wanta Go There”, “I Just Can’t Make It By Myself”, “Inside The Gate” and “I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy” make this an easy choice for a top ten listing.
• The Blackwood Brothers have had a list of Southern Gospel’s finest names, in addition to those already mentioned, like Billy Blackwood, Jimmy Blackwood, RW Blackwood, RW Blackwood Jr, Tony Brown, John Cox, Larry Davis, Tommy Fairchild, Whitey Gleason, John Hall, Pat Hoffmaster, Bill Lyles, Jackie Marshall, London Parris, Jeff Stice, Ken Turer and David Weston.
• The Blackwood legacy continues with Jimmy and Billy Blackwood as they travel once again as the Blackwood Brothers.  The group released a 75 year recording, two years ago, honoring that legacy.
• With an extensive recording career, here are some honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the top ten:  L-O-V-E (1972), 75 Years – The Song Will Go On (2010), With A Song On My Lips (1967), Fill My Cup Lord (1969) and Give The World A Smile (1959).

***NEXT UP ON TEN ON TEN:  FREEMANS***

The Cheese Factor – “The Laughing Song”

In this week’s edition of the cheese factor, we take a look at George Younce and his performance of “The Laughing Song”.  While I am aware that this was meant for kids and yes it was a fun moment to break up the program when done in the live setting, it still is pure cheese.

Let the video speak for itself.  Here is a YouTube clip I found, which many may have already seen, of a concert performance in 1986.  What say ye?

Back Home Again – Oak Ridge Boys

Southern Gospel Views from the Back Row (Steve Eaton) and Musicscribe (David Bruce Murray) join forces once again to present the ‘must buy or not’ feature. Highlights and dislikes will be offered along with a definitive yes or no on whether the album is a ‘must buy’.

In this week’s edition of the ‘must buy or not’ feature, we take a look at the new album from the Oak Ridge Boys. Back Home Again hit retail on Tuesday (05/22/12). The group continues their streak of releasing Gospel material as Back Home Again is an all Gospel recording.

Song list: (1) “Lead Me To The Rock” – Traditional (2) “Back Home Again” – John Denver (3) “Led Out Of Bondage” – R. L. Prather (4) “I Get To” – Sherrie Austin, Will Nance, Steve Williams (5) “In That Great Gettin’ Up Morning” – Traditional (6) “Why Me” – Kris Kristofferson (7) “Standing In The Need Of Prayer” – Traditional (8) “Coat Of Many Colors” – Dolly Parton (9) “The Love Of God” – F. M. Lehman (10) “River Of Jordan” – Hazel Houser (11) “If We Ever Needed The Lord Before We Sure Do Need Him Now” – Thomas A. Dorsey (12) “Heaven Bound” – Bobby Springfield

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• Songs that haven’t been over recorded. Back Home Again tends to use songs that have been recorded many times over the last several years. The bright spots are the Oaks versions of “Lead Me To That Rock”, “Standing In The Need Of Prayer” (short, but one of my favorites from the recording), “River Of Jordan” and “Heaven Bound”.
• William Lee Golden still turning in great baritone performances. He can communicate a lyric with warm soothing tones. Such is the case with the title track “Back Home Again”.
• Richard Sterban is also still laying down some low bass notes. He also is able to take a lead with ease (see “Led Out Of Bondage” and “Why Me”).
• The nice harmony moments the Oaks create, especially on Lehman’s classic “The Love Of God”, is a treat for listeners who have followed the Oak Ridge Boys career for any length of time.

MUSICSCRIBE

• “Back Home Again” was written and recorded by John Denver years ago, but it sounds like it was written specifically for William Lee Golden. If you loved his version of “Beautiful Bluebird” on The Boys Are Back, you’ll love this one too.
• When William Lee Golden is featured on melody with Richard Sterban, Duane Allen and Joe Bonsall on harmony, that is THE definitive Oaks sound. You can hear it on the choruses of “Why Me” and again on “River Of Jordan.”
• It was good to hear a different take on Dolly Parton’s “Coat Of Many Colors” and an updated version of one of my favorite Oaks songs, “Heaven Bound.”

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• “I Get To”. This song has been recorded and singled by both Three Bridges and Jeff & Sheri Easter in a span of less than two years. While there is nothing wrong with the Oaks version, here’s hoping we don’t get another single of this song.
• I found the vocal performance on “In That Great Gettin’ Up Morning” over done and forced.

MUSICSCRIBE

• I like the way the music gets out-of-the-way on “Led Out Of Bondage” for Richard Sterban’s verses by backing down to short chords on the beat and percussion, but I was expecting the Oaks to deliver an original vocal arrangement. If you’ve heard this song by the Statesmen, Statlers and the Cathedrals, you’re pretty much going to hear the same thing again.
• This CD proves the traditional Black Gospel style isn’t entirely comfortable for the Oaks. On “In That Great Gettin’ Up Morning,” Joe Bonsall’s dialect (“gettin’ up MAWH-nin”) is a caricature of traditional Black Gospel stereotypes and as Steve indicated, overdone. “If We Ever Needed The Lord Before” is somewhat better, but mainly for non-stylistic elements like Richard Sterban crushing his low notes.
• There’s an awkward key change going into the second verse of “The Love Of God.”

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• YES – I was really on the fence with this one. It could have gone either way slightly. So, I will give it a slight yes. While it doesn’t match the caliber of recent Gospel recordings like From The Heart and Common Thread, it still has some good moments.

MUSICSCRIBE

• NO – I was on the fence as well, but mine is a slight no. Several strong songs pulled me toward an affirmative, but I can’t overlook the weak spots on Back Home Again.

The Definitive Southern Gospel Collection – 1996

I know I have been jumping all over the map in selecting years to highlight in this feature but I didn’t want to go in order so I could cover various time periods over the course of several weeks.  So far I have highlighted the best albums released in 2000, 1995, 1990, 1985 and 2001.  This week will take a look at the best Southern Gospel albums released in 1996 and stay tuned for next week as I will cover my first year of the 1970′s.

1996 still saw the dominance of the Cathedrals as they won group and album of the year.  ”Serenaded By Angels” by Kirk Talley picked up song of the year honors in ’96.  The year also saw the emergence of groups like the Crabb Family, Tony Gore & Majesty and Booth Brothers.

The 20 best albums released in the year 1996 are as follows:

1. Wherever You Are – Martins (SpringHill)
2. Preparing The Way – Gold City (RiverSong)
3. You Can’t Ask Too Much Of My God – Bishops (Homeland)
4. All Access Live – Tony Gore & Majesty (Promised Land)
5. Center Stage Live – Perrys (MorningStar)
6. 4 God So Loved – Brian Free & Assurance (White Field)
7. Still Holdin’ On – Crabb Family (Zion)
8. Radio Days – Cathedrals (Homeland)
9. Transformed – Don DeGrate & Strong Tower (Zion)
10. Praise God Anyhow – Booth Brothers (MorningStar)
11. We Want America Back – Steeles (Daywind)
12. Old Time Religion – Dixie Melody Boys (MorningStar)
13. Right On Time – Karen Peck & New River (Horizon)
14. The Shepherds Found A Lamb – Greater Vision (RiverSong)
15. Renaissance – Freemans (Daywind)
16. And The Walls Came Down Live – Greenes (ACA)
17. Love’s Sweet Story – Poet Voices (Sonlite)
18. Golden Stairs – JD Sumner & Stamps (NuSong)
19. Live Like No Other – Teddy Huffam & Gems (Horizon)
20. Alive And Kickin’ – Crabb Family (Zion)

Listen to a mash-up of music from the 20 best albums released in 1996.  Enjoy!

SWOT Analysis – Triumphant Quartet

Based on readership alone, this new SWOT analysis feature has become one of the most read features each week.  This week takes a look at the strengths and weaknesses of Southern Gospel’s most popular quartet; Triumphant Quartet.

The group has now picked up favorite male quartet at the Singing News fan awards three years running.  Based on current popularity, I see a fourth win coming in 2012.  Like the Booth Brothers, Triumphant Quartet has no signs of stopping that streak anytime soon.

STRENGTHS

• Stability:  Name me the last time a Southern Gospel quartet has held the same line-up since their inception (ten years ago).  Southern Gospel fans like stability and they have gotten that with Triumphant Quartet.  They know when they go see the group in concert, they are going to see Sutton, Inman, Inman, Bennett and Stice.
• The Groups Work In Theaters:  Especially early in their career, the experience the group gained by performing daily shows in a theater only enhanced their stage performance when traveling the Southern Gospel circuit.
• Scott Inman:  Scott has become one of the strongest vocalists in the group (see “Love Came Calling”, “Somebody Died For Me”).  His songwriting has also given Triumphant Quartet some big songs over the course of the last several years (including the current #1 song “Almost Home”).
• Jeff Stice’s Arranging:  Jeff Stice has an ear to arrange Triumphant’s songs to fit each singer’s vocal strengths.

WEAKNESSES

• Use of Tracks:  I can hear it now.  ’Please stop using this same weakness for every artist’.  Until things change regarding the over use of tracks, I will continue to speak out against it.  You have to remember, I was around during a time period when artists still traveled with bands.
• Similar Set List For Live Performances:  If you tend to see a group more than once a year, the set list for a concert tends to be similar.  For some artists, they run with the same set list for more than a year.  Certain songs should be rotated from time to time.  After hearing specific songs just about every time you see a group for three to four years straight is too much.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Becoming Southern Gospel’s Next Cathedrals/Gold City:  With their current popularity levels and no signs of that waning anytime soon, Triumphant Quartet is well on their way to be considered this generation’s Cathedrals/Gold City.  In 20 years when Southern Gospel fans look back and discuss the best quartets in the genre’s history, Triumphant Quartet will be listed along with quartets like the Cathedrals and Gold City.

THREATS

• Any Personnel Change:  At this point, losing any member of the group would be a blow to the group’s popularity.
• Another Quartet Claiming The Award:  Triumphant Quartet needs to stay on top of their game so another quartet don’t swoop in and take the quartet of the year award.  Right now, I don’t see any competition for Triumphant Quartet from another quartet.

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  MARK TRAMMELL QUARTET***

Free Music Give-Away and Concert Review with the Old Paths

I had the opportunity to see Old Paths in concert Sunday (05/20/12) at the Piedmont Baptist Church in Kannapolis NC.  The addition of Daniel Ashmore on bass has added a great vocal blend the group seemed to lack as a trio. This young man has a vocal presence reminiscent of bass singer great Pat Barker.

The Old Paths performed for nearly two hours to an enthusiastic crowd, ready to have a good time.  The group performed several songs from their new release Right Now.  I enjoyed hearing “Battle Stand”, “I Know My God Can Do It”, “God’s Great” and “The Blood On My Hands”.  Doug Roark had a heart touching story about his older brother, who happened to be in attendance at the concert, and his 21 years spent in prison.

Jeremy did a remarkable job on “I Of The Storm” and the group even had a fun bit on “Echoes From The Burning Bush” where Jeremy sang bass and Daniel attempted to sing tenor.  Jeremy did surprisingly well singing bass.  All in all, the Old Paths did a great job.

So because of that, I have a brand new copy of the group’s new CD, Right Now, to give away.  The first person to email me the answer to the following trivia question will win.  Good luck!

***The Old Paths recorded a song on the Right Now recording “When It All Starts Happening”.  Name the group who originally recorded this song on a 2006 recording.***

UPDATE:  Congratulations to Wayne for providing the correct answer of Mercy’s Mark to the trivia question.  As of now this contest is considered closed.  More free music coming this summer, so be on the lookout.  Thanks again for your continued readership and support!