Artist: The Oak Ridge Boys
Album: 17th Avenue Revival
Label: Lightning Rod Records
Release Date: 3.16.2018
Gospel is in no way a foreign concept to Hall of Fame quartet The Oak Ridge Boys. From its earliest lineups to the present day, Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban have always sought divine inspiration in tandem with their more popular tracks, “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue,” and even their raucous take on the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” included. It doesn’t matter if they emphasize how “nobody wants to play rhythm guitar behind Jesus” (“Rhythm Guitar”) or incorporate traditional hymns (i.e. “Amazing Grace”) throughout their catalogue; the group’s finest work is always emphasized when they revisit their spiritual roots.
On their latest album, the Boys re-team with producer Dave Cobb to unleash a straightforward, tell-it-like-it-is work that doesn’t pull any punches and doesn’t require a lot of studio wizardry to depict the group in a heavenly light. All that’s needed here is some guitar, piano, light percussion and the harmonious blend of voices to make magic. Mission accomplished, especially given that country music contemporaries like Brandy Clark, Jamey Johnson and Vince Gill all contribute their lyrical talents to specific tracks (“Pray to Jesus,” “There Will Be Light,” and “If I Die,” respectively).
Even though it takes a while for bass vocalist Sterban to make his presence known on the terrific “Walk in Jerusalem,” it’s well worth the wait. The group also particularly shines on the peppy “God’s Got It” and a monumental cover of Leadbelly’s “Let It Shine on Me,” which shifts from straight church to evangelism to close out the album. Singing from the heart, the Oak Ridge Boys prove they’re still a musical powerhouse after all these decades – really, no genre is off limits for them; it just happens to be that gospel fits the most like a glove.
—Ira Kantor
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