The Oak Ridge Boys - Back Home Again Review

Though they have become one of the most successful Country acts of all time, Gospel Music is still a large part of the Oak Ridge Boys’ musical stylings. For their latest disc, the group digs a little deeper into the well for a few Gospel classics – as well as a few Country classics with an Inspirational slant.

As usual, the “Mighty Oaks” rise to the occasion. Highlights here include “Lead Me To That Rock” and “ Led Out Of Bondage,” both of which sound like they would have been right at home during a singing / dinner on the ground in years’ past. Richard Sterban’s bass narration is particularly effective on the latter, while Joe Bonsall takes lead on the former – and the result is one of his greatest performances.

Duane Allen is front and center on the emotional “I Get To,” which will make you ponder how priorities change over the course of time, and William Lee Golden tips the hat to the legendary Louvin Brothers on the classic “The River Of Jordan.”...full text Since hitting the top ten for the first time in 1977 with "Y'all Come Back Saloon," the Oak Ridge Boys have carved out one of the most successful careers of all time. At the same time, they have never forgotten their Gospel roots. During their years with MCA, they often included Inspirational-tinged material such as "Dig A Little Deeper In The Well" and "Don't Give Up" in their albums and the past decade and a half has seen several Gospel projects from the Oaks, as well.

Their forthcoming project, "Back Home Again" (out May 22), is probably the most unique such project from the quartet. It's a mixture of country classics, new material, and Gospel songs that take them back -- many years.

At the end of the day, the Oaks have an album that they are very excited about, and Bonsall feels the songs take them back. "We went back to the days when we were kids, listening to the Statesmen in our rooms doing all those songs. I still wasn't sure that it was all going to fit together, but somehow it did."...full text