Mercy’s Mark - Something’s Happening, CD Review

Oct

2006

Mercy’s Mark - Something’s Happening

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Label: Daywind Music
Produced by: Dottie Leonard Miller and Garry Jones
Website: http://www.Mercysmarkquartet.com

Mercy’s Mark kicks off this record in true SG quartet style with “When It All Starts Happening I Want to Be There.” This song reminds me of why I love quartets so much! The bass sings in the basement, the tenor sings in the stratosphere and the endings are always big. “Prayer will take Heaven by Storm” keeps things rolling right along. Just as enjoyable as the first cut, Mercy’s Mark already has you anticipating the rest of the record. The title cut, a powerful ballad called “Something’s Happening” written by Kyla Rowland, will show you that Mercy’s Mark can do more than just get your hands a clappin’, they can move your soul too.

“Living in the Arms of Mercy” is one of my favorite cuts on this project. It mixed things up a bit stylistically, and showed off the groups range. The melody really grabs your attention, and so do the lyrics. Followed by another impressive tune called, “Amazed,” these guys make it difficult for me to choose my favorite. The energy of the project picks back up with another song that showcases the traditional quartet sound, “Anytime.” There’s just an overall evident quality of this CD that can’t be denied.

“He’s the God of Second Chances” again features the group’s bass singer, Christian Davis, as well as a message we’re all glad to hear. “Jesus Said Love” was another stand out song, featuring Brent Mitchell, the group’s outstanding tenor. It’s sure to become a fan favorite. I enjoyed the traditional, yet somehow fresh vocal and instrumental arrangements on this record. The man probably responsible for that is group founder, producer and baritone, Garry Jones. Garry’s talent is no surprise to this industry. He has a long list of successes to his name, and Mercy’s Mark is certainly among them. “All I need to know” stayed consistent with the rest of the album’s quality. Then the ‘WOW’ factor, “He Was There All the Time” a cappella! The harmonies were tight and ambitious. What a way to end it! This CD brought a smile to my face, and left me wanting more. Its song selection, instrumental arrangements and vocal executions were what I believe to be the definition of what SG is at its best.

Reader Comments

This is one of the best projects i Think I have ever heard! WOW! Great harmonys, great arangements, great lyrics, great everything! AWESOME job Mercy's Mark! Keep it up!

God Bless,
Aaron

Commented by On 10/01/2006

Gosh guys a lot of praise is going to this group. I likewise like the CD. But I don't agree with 5 stars. The real problem with me is that this is the prime example of what a studio can do for a group. I heard them at convention twice and was INCREDIBLY disappointed. It seemed more like 4 singers than 1 quartet. They just did not blend except on "Something's Happening" because the vocals were stacked to the hilt. I definitely think gary needed to work harder to replace Anthony Facello. This is nothing personal. I'm sure that Brent is a fine individual, but vocally it just isn't happening. He had so many intonation problems at convention that it was just tough to listen to. I really like Christian Davis' voice also but he seemed to be reaching for notes that just weren't there. I like what George Younce used to say. "Worry about being a singer first and the low notes will come". I would rather hear a bass singer not go SO low and nail the note rather than Reach for something that is not consistantly there and be sharp. I really was looking forward to this recording and was not disappointed. But what good is a group if they cannot consistantly reproduce the sound in a live setting? Ya might as well lip sync. Sorry for maybe being a bit negative, but a group with this much hype and potential needs to deliver!!!

Commented by On 10/02/2006

I agree, this is definately a 5 star recording. Song selection is great and the blends are wonderful. It is easy to get in the criicizing mode and find fault with any group going. Everytime I have heard Mercy's Mark in person, I have been very impressed. They are just very solid at every position. Garry made a brilliant pick when he chose Brent Mitchell, what a phenominal voice. I don't know what group Gospel Man was listening to, but it sure is NOT the Mercy's Mark that I have been listening to. Sometimes it's so easy to be critical.

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 10/02/2006

Deon,

I respect your opinion, and you ask which Mercy's Mark I was listening to? The one anchored by Anthony Facello on the tenor part!! I do not feel that I am being critical because I am not criticizing the character of anyone in the group. I am speaking the truth. Regardless what anyone's OPINION is, a note that is not on pitch is still flat or sharp. I think Josh is among the elite in SG as far as lead singers go. And Gary is very good on baritone and it goes without saying how valuable his talents are behind the scenes. As I said, Christian has a lot of talent but is somewhat inconsistant from time to time. But I cannot pretend that Brent was not having real intonation problems and problems controlling many melodic lines when I heard them at convention. Hopefully, he will grow into the part. As I said, I really like the recording but we as SGM artists have to deliver BOTH in the studio AND on the stage and I just do not feel that they delivered on both aspects.

Commented by On 10/02/2006

I didn't know this was a Mercy's Mark concert review...

Back to the CD - it's amazing. Great job guys!

Commented by On 10/02/2006

Gospel Man, you are not necessarily speaking the truh, but rather your opinion. I do not know of one singer, ANYWHERE, who has not been pitchy at some time of other. Making a statement on a national publication criticizing a group on one high stressed performance is not really fair in my opinion. I have heard MM sing several times and do not find the same
opinion as you. So, it is opinion, not truth.

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 10/02/2006

I heard this group this past weekend and I can tell you that they are Very Vocally Solid at EVERY position, The tenor is simply amazing and the bass is as solid as they come.The group nailed every note they sung.I have heard so many horror stories of monitors at NQC that I wouldnt put much stock in what I heard there.This is one of the best groups out there today.I bought this CD and it is absolutely GREAT !One of the best I've heard ever!

Commented by On 10/03/2006

A concert performance has no bearing on a cd review. A cd review stands on it's own merits.

Commented by On 10/05/2006

Hey Guys,
We hosted Mercy's Mark in our church last May. In dialogue with Garry and the guys between services, I shared the observation that I considered them one of the best quartets in a long time because they don't appear to stack their vocals as much as some other groups. The clarity of their four voices in a live setting is unmistakable. The evidence of the fullness of their sound is proven when Garry moves to the piano and they sing without tracks. Very impressive to say the least. I agree, you can't judge a group solely on one performance, especially at the convention. The sound challenges in that setting are impossible!
Mercy's Mark: Keep up the great work!

Commented by David On 10/08/2006

I agree that this is a 5 star (and then some) CD!! And the first time I saw this group in concert, they became my all-time favorite. My only problem with the review is that everyone's name was mentioned, except my new favorite lead singer - the amazingly, incredibly talented JOSH FEEMSTER! He has the lead on "Living In The Arms Of Mercy" which I believe should be the next radio release,

and on the "WOW" factor cut mentioned in the review, "He Was There All The Time", as well as others, including another fave of mine "All I Need To Know". He, in my opinion, is one of the best (if not THE BEST) vocalists in ANY music genre right now. If you haven't heard these guys, in concert, or on this CD, you really should!

http://marciswords.blogspot.com

Commented by Harmony On 10/21/2006

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