Rating: 5 stars

I’ll keep my comments about individual tracks to a minimum, since most of my thoughts are on the album as a whole.

Like many quartets have seemed to favor doing recently, the Daybreak Quartet has recorded a project of old songs and hymns with the “stripped-down” sound of just piano and vocals.

This group does not disappoint with this effort. The vocals are smooth and full, and being backed by Tim Parton on some songs and Greg Howlett on others, the instrumental part of the album is solid as well. No member of the group shows off or sings out of range; each vocalist knows their limits and sticks to that. The arrangements are good as well.

Now, to the question most are asking, how does tenor singer Joel Wood sound? After listening to this project, I can honestly say he will fit in with the Mark Trammell Trio. Daniel Mount said he sounds like Keith Waggoner from the Liberty Quartet; I concur. He is a smooth tenor vocalist, whom I can’t wait to hear with MTT.

Bottom line: the Daybreak Quartet is an underrated group who have churned out a great tribute to the older songs of Southern Gospel music. And, as a bonus, the project is available for free download from the group itself through July 24. It is certainly one worth adding to your collection.

Most of you have probably heard of Daybreak Quartet, especially with all their recent attention in the SG blog and news world (their tenor was just hired by the Mark Trammell Trio.)

Greg Howlett travels with the Daybreak Quartet sometimes and plays piano for them. He is now offering, from his website, a free download of his latest piano instrumental CD. I highly recommend getting both his CD and Daybreak Quartet’s latest project, Hymns (the latter of which Greg plays on some songs and of which I’m working on a review). You will not be disappointed with Greg’s playing.

This is an unusual offer coming from an artist, so be sure to take it!

I haven’t heard Joel yet, so I can’t meaningfully comment on how he will sound. However, I was just recently asked to review Daybreak’s new Hymns project, which features Joel on tenor. Expect that review, and my further thoughts on this news, sometime next week.

Update: Here is the official press release from MTT:

We are excited to announce that our new tenor is twenty nine year old Joel Wood from Phenix City, AL. Joel formerly sang with the Daybreak Quartet from the Atlanta, Ga area. We welcome Joel, his wife Melissa and their four boys….yes FOUR boys. Tyler, 10. Brayden, 7. Jaxon, 3, and Cameron, 9 months. What a joy to have this wonderful addition to the Mark Trammell Trio . Please join us as we welcome Joel and his beautiful family! Joel’s first official date will be July 10 in Sikes, La. We believe that this is God’s man for the next chapter in the ministry of the Mark Trammell Trio.

Joel, we are glad you’re here!

Blessings,
Mark Trammell

Nothing’s really happened recently, but I felt it necessary to provide an un-necessary rant, so…

Just got the some CDs by these guys. Has anybody ever heard them? THEY’RE AMAZING!!!! They have an awesome lineup: high tenor, solid baritone and lead, pleasantly low bass. Their bass also happens to be the MC and pianist for the group, and they’re not a very well-known group, but are definitely on par with the more famous ones! Check them out at www.daybreakquartet.com.

EDIT: The bass emailed me and informed me that while he is the pianist and bass, the baritone is the MC.