CD REVIEW: "It's Only Natural" - The Oak Ridge Boys

CD: "It's Only Natural"
Artists: The Oak Ridge Boys
Label: Official Cracker Barrel Release
Release: September 19, 2011




If any cd title was fitting, this has to be the one - "It's Only Natural." Cracker Barrel restaurants are serving up exclusive cd releases and of course, The Oak Ridge Boys, were destined to be on the music menu. Like grandma's fried chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuits and sweet tea, the four part harmonies of Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban are a combination country music fans truly appreciate. I would like to preface this review with a HUGE thank you to Joe, Duane, William Lee and Richard for keeping the music going through all of the years and the obvious changes in the industry, for always giving their fans the best of themselves and for being just wonderful people, friends not only to me but to their many loving and adoring fans worldwide. This is your year guys, we stand behind your music and we love you. Thank you.

The new cd is a mix of a little of everything, from a handful of classic hits given a 2011 makeover to new recordings that Oak Ridge Boys fans have been waiting for. The first single, "What'cha Gonna Do" is already getting spins on country radio and fans are requesting it over and over again. The song is upbeat, fun and tells a story like only the Oak Ridge Boys can. The second track on the cd, "True Heart",  a remake of a cut on 1987's "Heartbeat" album, is probably one of my top 2 favorite songs on the cd. To me, it sums up what the four of these men are, four true hearts. They are always doing for other people, rarely thinking of themselves. Their songs don't have lyrics referring to sex, drinking, or the typical country subjects, they stay "true" to themselves and sing about things everyone can relate to and things we all think about like life, love and lending a helping hand. "Before I Die", sung by William Lee Golden, is a musical bucket list, things he wants to do in his lifetime. This one will tug at your heartstrings, I promise you will want to have something on hand to wipe away the tears. Very touching, very honest and very heartfelt.

The mid portion of the cd is the fun part, old classics (some you probably forgot about) remade and remodeled, hits like "It's Gonna Take A Lot of River" with Joe singing Steve Sanders' lead vocals and doing a fine job of it, although no one can ever replace his voice in the group. "No Matter How High", another Steve Sanders vocal product has Duane Allen lending his vocals in Steve's place and there isn't much difference in the original and Duane's update as far as style and I'm sure that's the way Steve would have wanted it. Duane does an outstanding job. This takes us to track #6, "The Shade", is one of those top 2 favorites I was talking about earlier. This one just has a relaxing, laid back feel to it and really ties their vocals together into one perfect package of "ahhhh lovin' this". The shade may come free with the tree, but what comes free with this song is good, deep down, warm fuzzy feelings as satisfying as sitting on a Cracker Barrel porch in a rocking chair after stuffing yourself with a plate of their Chicken Dumplings (ya like that plug there? LOL!). It just takes me back to a time when life was worry free and simple. Now, the next one is everyone's favorite and probably the song that made the Oaks a household name and one of the most played songs of 1981 on most country and pop radio stations, you know which one I'm talking about. It's the "oom pa pa mow mow" of the group's entire discography, the one that everyone knows and sings along to, "Elvira". It's been 30 years this year since the song was first released to the masses and since it became the biggest hit for the boys. They've remade it, amped it up 2011 style and gave it a musical face lift. The rest of the cd includes "Lousiana Red Dirt Highway", which was a hit video on CMT, "I Wish You Could Have Been There" which is my opinion is one of Duane's best vocal accomplishments to date, absolutely flawless. One of my favorite songs that until now was out of print and unavailable, "Beyond Those Years" is a song choice I am so glad was added to this cd, "Lucky Moon" and the final song on the cd, Joe Bonsall's touching and emotional tribute honoring the horrific day that changed America, September 11, 2011 and to those in uniform protecting our country every day, "Sacrifice ... For Me". He shows love and respect for our troops, the firefighters, and the policemen who put their lives on the line everyday. This one will bring a tear to your eye, trust me.

If you are a fan of the Oaks, and if you're not then you need some seriously good music refresher classes, head out to Cracker Barrel, grab a bite of some good down home country cooking and pick up your copy of "It's Only Natural". Naturally, you'll be glad you did. It's so good, it'll make you wanna slap whoever's closest to ya!

If you don't live near a Cracker Barrel restaurant, you can purchase the cd at their website, www.crackerbarrel.com starting on September 19, 2011.