Search - Oak Ridge Boys :: Seasons

Magic running low?

04/28/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I believe this album is proof that change is good.In 1977, The Oak Ridge Boys teamed with producer Ron Chancey to record their breakthrough country hit, "Y'all Come Back Saloon." This team continued produced hit after hit right up through 1985. They used the same basic approach to their music: country music with stacked gospel harmonies, spiced up with strings and brass. This method worked for many years, but as the music scene changed, their style seemed a bit "old school.""Seasons" is proof that it was time to change, and the Oaks and Chancey attempted to do so...to a point. Prior to it's release, wide publicity stated that this album is a step in a different direction for the Oaks. This was true in the fact that they attempted a few more pop-sounding songs (and even a bit more risque material, i.e. "Bedtime"), but production seemed a bit confused as to where to go. The strings and horns were cut back (though still present), but it's almost as if Chancey couldn't quite figure out what to put in their place. Some of the tracks majorly suffered because of this. ("You Made A Rock Of A Rolling Stone" is a good example).That's not to say this album is not totally without merit. Some of the tracks work well with the change. "Don't Break The Code" is a totally new direction for ORB material, not only dealing with infidelity, but also murder, and "Everybody Wins" has a timeless message (although it could be shortened a bit). The gem of this album is William Lee Golden's rhaspy mountain voice on "Take A Step," a great story song accompanied by Mark O'Connor's mesmerizing fiddle playing.The sad fact was, the magic was fading. It was time for the Oaks to "take a step" in a new direction (which they did the following year with producer Jimmy Bowen). Oddly, this was NOT the last project with producer Ron Chancey. Following this release, the Oaks recorded their second Christmas album (entitled, appropriately, "Christmas Again")."