Rating: 4.5 stars
Producer: Roger Talley
Label: Crossroads Music
Website: www.tributequartet.com
Buy This Project
1. I Love Living In Grace
Jeremy Bell: The CD starts out with a strong quartet number. There are hardly any surprises with this song but a good one if you like quartet music. It has remnants of the old school style by using the clean, electric, Chet Adkins style guitar to a touch of the fiddle for the country side.
2. I’ve Been Blessed
Jeremy: Another strong quartet number with leads shared by each member of the quartet. This number has a little more swing to it than the last. Be careful because you might go down the road with your head bobbing or your foot tapping.
Aaron Swain: This song has a different style to it than any other Tribute song selection. It’s always nice to see a group branch out, and each group member does well with their features.
3. Calvary Wins Again
Aaron: The first ballad of the project gives bass singer Dennis Dugger the first solo, and new tenor Brian Alvey the second. Dugger shows a smooth upper range that hasn’t really come out before. This powerful song with an equally powerful redemption theme could be considered one of his finest features to date.
Jeremy: This is more of an orchestrated song than the previous two but still a strong quartet number. It talks about the struggle that we have as unsaved people, and when we finally “give up,” in essence it is Calvary winning again. The first verse is sung by the group’s bass Dennis Dugger, who I believe is one of the most underrated bass singers in the industry today. The second verse is sung by newcomer Brian Alvey. I believe this is one of the stronger songs on the project.
4. That’s Why I Love Him So
Aaron: This slow song is the first radio single from this project. No spectacular vocal feats here; just smooth singing by the group as a whole.
Jeremy: This is a very simple song stating why we love Jesus so much. Another strong quartet song. I think we are seeing some repetition here.
5. He Said That
Jeremy: “He Said That” is a song that gets up and moves. Instead of coming out and saying these are the promises of God, they sing a phrase which is a promise, followed by singing “God said that.” The leads are sung by the group’s tenor, Brian Alvey.
6. That’s What Makes Grace Amazing
Jeremy: This track is sung by piano player and baritone Josh Singletary. Josh is an interesting singer, to say the least. Not only is he a very competent piano player, but his heroes are crooners like Harry Connick, Jr. and Frank Sinatra, and it definitely shows through in his vocals. The lyrics say that what makes grace so amazing is the fact that we can’t understand it. This song is accompanied by a guitar that is reminiscent of a nylon string Spanish guitar.
Aaron: Like Jeremy said, Josh Singletary is an interesting singer with a twist to his voice that makes it such that, quite simply, you either like it or you don’t. Count me in the crowd that likes it. His features on all of Tribute’s projects fit him like a glove, and this song is no exception.
7. His Tomb Is Empty
Jeremy: This is probably one of the most different songs on the project but definitely one that made me want to hit the repeat button. The accompaniment starts out like you are in a western and you are getting ready to see the hero rising up out of the mist or coming over the horizon. It makes the statement that the reason we know Jesus’ tomb is empty is because our heart is full.
Aaron: Can’t really say anything different than Jeremy has here. If I had to pick a favorite song off of this project, this would definitely be in the running.
8. Helpless Not Hopeless
Jeremy: This is a slow thoughtful song proclaiming simple truths. When we are helpless, we are not hopeless. When we are lonely, we are not alone. When we are broken, we don’t fall to pieces. And when I am the weakest, it is in Him that we are the strongest. It is a good reminder to Christians because these are the things that are so easily forgotten.
9. He Was In Charge
Jeremy: Here, the CD picks back up tempo wise. It is another quartet driven number reminding us that even when Christ was taken in the garden and then crucified, he was still in charge.
Aaron: One of the trademarks of Tribute Quartet is doing the upbeat, true quartet songs. The tradition is kept alive and well here. Tenor Brian Alvey really shines here, rounding out the harmony very well.
10. I Heard It, I Believe It
Jeremy: This is a simple song reminding us that all we have to do is believe and we are saved. The song’s verses are sung by baritone Josh. After a false ending, the tenor kicks in and finishes out the song in true quartet fashion.
11. I Am Healed
Jeremy: This is a song that is taking off for Tribute. Lyrically, it is a simple song, but still says a lot. It reminds us that there is healing for people who have faith and believe in Jesus. The guys sang this at NQC, and Gary said as they were walking back to their booth in the exhibit hall, it took him 45 minutes to get back because all along the way he had people stopping him asking him to pray for them. The construction is interesting as well. It starts out with simple orchestration of light strings. By the end it has built to a full orchestra and band backing up the quartet. It is a song that wells up inside of you and gives you courage.
Aaron: Once again, I cannot say much more than Jeremy has. The power and impact of this song to me, personally, is astounding. This could very well be a signature song for Tribute for years to come.
Who Am I
Jeremy: “Who Am I” is actually listed as a bonus track on the CD. After the last song, they could have ended there and it still would have been a good CD, but they didn’t. Gary told the story that shortly after tenor singer Brian joined them, Josh and Brian were messing around on the piano and started doing this old Rusty Goodman tune. From that night on, Brian has been doing it every night. The arrangement on the CD is pretty straight forward other than a few vocal runs that are there to make the song his own.
Final Thoughts:
Aaron: Tribute Quartet has worked hard to put out this latest effort, and it shows. The group puts forth some of the finest material they’ve had in their existence here. With the addition of their new tenor, the group’s sound has changed as well. They were good with Jacob Kitson, and the quality continues with Brian Alvey. I also appreciate the different musical styles represented here. In short, Tribute has put out another project to be proud of.
Jeremy: Tribute Quartet is on their third effort, and it is a good one. I have been following Tribute since not long after they started out as Tribute Quartet. Over the years, Gary Casto has always done quality music and held a high level of excellence. Plus, he works tirelessly to promote southern gospel music and keep it alive.
Not only is the project excellent, but the outstanding thing about the project is it is not a cookie cutter project. What I mean is, a lot of these groups will try to model themselves after someone like the Gaither Vocal Band, The Cathedrals, or the Statesmen. One of the reasons those groups were great was because they did something different that no one had done or was successful at. That is why we remember them. Not because we say “there’s the group that wanted to be like the Statesmen.”
The project includes a who’s who list of song writers including Ronnie Hinson, Rodney Griffin, Kyala Rowland, Marty Funderburk, and John Darin Rowsey. There are also a few written by group members. I had the privilege of seeing these guys recently do a full concert. The CD is good but I thought they sounded even better in person. And those who were at NQC know, they knocked it out of the park. So if you get the chance to go see them, take the opportunity. It will be well worth the time invested. And while you are there pick up a copy of the CD. You won’t be disappointed. Gary will even give you the mother in law special. (but you will have to ask him what that is!)
