Chuck Ramsey & Tommy Trammel – “Together”
This is another record that came from my old record seller from Florida, and this one I had bought around 2012 after hearing Tommy Trammel singing “I Should Have Been Crucified” – I had wanted to get the album that song had appeared on, but at the time on eBay on this album was available and I was not aware of Discogs – yet.
The A-Side opens with “On the Jericho Road” and we get some nice piano playing to open the album too, which is always a good. So, it seems that this song is an instrumental version, so it’s a whole song of just piano – which not a bad thing because Chuck Ramsey seems to be quite the pianist. Next up, “When They Ring Those Golden Bells” and it is a slower piano song, not quite that interesting. We follow it up with a fast paced song, “I’ve Got That Old Time Religion” comes next, and it is a more enjoyable song. I do wish there would’ve been some vocals, but maybe on the B-Side. “Make Me a Blessing” comes next, and there is some crazy piano tinkling in this, and from what I can tell from some deep Google searches, is that Chuck Ramsey was the pianist for the Stamps quartet. “Give the World a Smile” comes next, and it’s another fast paced piano track, and I’m quite impressed with just how good this has been so far. Lastly, we close out the A-Side with “He Takes Away the Blues” and it’s a slower song, with a lot of bass accompanying the piano playing.
The B-Side opens with “Everybody Needs Jesus” and I believe this is Tommy Trammel singing, and he’s got a very nice voice, and the song is well accompanied with Chuck Ramsey on the piano. Next up, we follow with a Larry Gatlin song, “Help Me” and it’s a slower song, I do recognize this song but I can’t remember which album I’ve previously heard it on. Actually, no I do remember, it was on the Jeff Kimball album. And I mean, that is a superior version of this song. “Ship Ahoy” comes next, and it’s a song delivered with powerful vocals and beautifully done at that. “Near the Cross” comes next, and it’s a slower song, but still wonderfully done. Tommy has some wonderful high notes. Now, what would a Gospel album be without an Andrae Crouch song? How about two? “The Blood” continues this album, and once more Tommy Trammel delivers some of the most beautiful high notes as he sings this wonderful song. We end the album with the second Andrae Crouch song, “My Tribute” and if you have never heard this song, it is a beautiful and powerful Gospel song, and Rev. Tommy Trammel delivers a fantastic rendition of it.
So, naturally, as I was listening to this album, I did some research on both Chuck and Tommy. Chuck had a career a gospel pianist, playing with J.D. Sumner and the Stamps, and Rev. Tommy Trammel has been a very popular fixture in Cincinnati churches for quite a few decades. I do wish I could find out more about them both.
Fun fact, the back cover has Chuck’s and Tommy’s addresses at the time of the release of this album. You can’t get streetview for Chuck, but Tommy’s brings you to his church.
Catalog Number:
None.
Credits:
Piano (Accompaniment on “My Tribute”) – Stephen Ramsey
Bass – Dennis Herrell
Rhythm Guitar & Producer – Dan Burton
Drums – Tim Short
Engineer – Phil Burkhardt
Artist Jacket Design – Tim Bond
Released:
1979
Find it on Discogs
