CD REVIEW: OAK RIDGE BOYS – Boys Night Out

Label: Cleopatra Records

Release Date: April 15, 2014

Rating: 8/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

Classic takes on different meanings for every one.  Today’s country stars owe a tip of the proverbial hat to some of the classic country performers who rocked the crossover AC charts decades before they did.  The Oak Ridge Boys latest collection, their first live disc ever, digs back into their catalog for some of those classic tracks that almost every country fan, and even the most die hard rocker will know.  The setlist culls tracks from their catalog that should please most of the Boys’ fans.  After decades recording and touring, these guys sound the same, as if time stood still and preserved their sound and voices.  Listening to classics like “American Made” – which was a Billboard Top 100 hit back in 1983 and 1981’s “(I’m Settin’) Fancy Free” took me back to my childhood, when my parents listened to these tracks and others over and over.  The group, Richard Sterban, William Lee Golden, Duane Allen – a recent Texas Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, and Joe Bonsall, still know how to harmonize and play off of each others voices.  “You’re The One” opens the disc with a mid tempo track that lulls you in and gets you ready for what is to come over the next 50 minutes.  The group digs back and blends in some mellow tracks and ballads, like “This Crazy Love,” “Make My Life With You,” and “Thank God For Kids.”  The unique sound that made them stand out and helped them crossover from strictly country charts still shines through when they kick into songs like “Dream On.”  Arguably the two biggest tracks in the groups history close the show and Top 5 single “Elvira” is as fun now as it was back in the day.  No matter the type of music you listen to, I think we all mimic the low octave bass note during the “Oom Poppa Oom Poppa Mow Mow” part.  Closing the disc with “Bobbie Sue,” another Top 20 hit, the guys bring the energy and even throw in a cool guitar solo that help close this disc on a positive note.

Tracklist: You’re The One – American Made – (I’m Settin’) Fancy Free – Love Song – Y’all Come Back Saloon – Sail Away – Dream On – This Crazy Love – Trying To Love Two Women – Come On In – Make My Life With You – Thanks God For Kids – Elvira – Bobbie Sue

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Category: CD Reviews