Artist: Second-Half Quartet Project Title: Refreshing Label: Daywind Producers: Gerald Wolfe and Mark Trammell
I have been to many concerts over the years and have often enjoyed the “make-shift” groups that might sing a song or two in the second half. Well, Greater Vision, Mark Trammell and Pat Barker have taken this to another level and have actually organized and perfected the Second Half Quartet! Gerald Wolfe accompanies on the piano as Chris Allman, Rodney Griffin, Mark Trammell and Pat Barker handle the vocals. The end result is a great quartet and their debut project is sure to be a favorite of many.
The project begins with an old classic titled “Cheer The Weary Traveler.” It has been a few years since I heard this song but I enjoyed this vocally smooth version of the song very much. “I’m Going Up When I Die” is the next song on the project and this song celebrates our home going to Heaven when we, as Christians, pass on from this earth. There are a lot of former Cathedral Quartet songs on this project and “Gonna Shout All Over Heaven” is one of them! It is another song about moving over to Heaven when out time on earth is done and it brings back such great memories of George and Glen and the rest of the Cathedrals.
One of my favorite Cathedral songs is “Rivers Of Joy.” This may not be as well-known as some of the other song they sung but I love this song that celebrates the joy in the Lord we have once Christ comes into our lives. The Second Half Quartet does a superb job singing this song. I love songs that talk about Calvary and “Remind Me Of Calvary” is a song that reminds the listener that no matter what we might be facing in this life, we should focus on Calvary and place our faith in Jesus Christ. “When I Move” is a great quartet song and there is a whole lot of quartet experience in this group! They do a great job singing this song and you will hear some wonderful, smooth, quartet harmonies. “Wonderful Grace Of Jesus” was always one of my favorite hymns while growing up in church. While we never sang it in church quite like the Cathedrals did, I still always loved the song. The guys revive this great hymn and the Cathedrals great arrangement of it here on this project.
“I’m Standing On Holy Ground” is another awesome song and there is no way you can listen to this project and not enjoy this classic quartet song! A true convention style song where everyone goes in their own direction in the chorus, the guys deliver a solid performance on this one. One of the songs I think of when I think of Glen Payne is “The Prodigal Son.” I loved the song when I was a kid and now, having lived the song a time or two in my life, the message really means a lot more to me. It is great to hear that wonderful message of going Home to Christ after a time of wandering once again. The project ends with the classic song from the pen of Bill and Gloria Gaither, “Going Home.” Indeed, we are all on a journey and we surely are “Going Home.”
As I alluded to earlier, there is a lot of quartet experience in this group. The members of this group list such groups as the Cathedrals, Gold City, the Dixie Melody Boys, the Dixie Echoes and, of course, the Mark Trammell Quartet on their resumes. These guys have a smooth, pleasing sound and incredible harmonies that will make you want to keep listening to the project over and over. My favorite songs from this project are “Rivers Of Joy,” “Remind Me Of Calvary” and “The Prodigal Son.” If you love great male quartet music, this is the right project to add to your collection! For more information, visit the Second Half Quartet’s website at www.secondhalfquartet.com.
