Reviewed by Dave Brassington

Recorded in Bill Gaither's studios in Alexandria, Indiana in front of an invited group comprising some of Bill Gaither's close musical friends, the DVD turns out to be a really stunning musical homecoming. For those not familiar with the Oak Ridge Boys, they started out as a Southern gospel group but their career really took off in the mid '70s when eagle eyed country music promoter Jim Halsey saw them opening shows for big named country acts and thought they had the potential to make it big in mainstream country music. This meant recording non-gospel country songs which generated a whole slew of big hits, but which drew quite a bit of criticism from Christians who thought they had deserted their roots. On this DVD, The Oaks are backed by their full road band, and they kick off in a lively fashion with "Jesus, Is Coming Soon" and the very catchy "I Know". Bill Golden is then let loose on "Didn't It Rain" before we have a reprise of some of their major country hits; "Thank God For Kids", "Elvira" and "The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor". Interspersed with the songs, Bill Gaither interviews all four members of the group who have now been together since 1973 and still love what they are doing. They all were heavily influenced by other Southern gospel singers, but as Joe Bonsall says, "we make our living from playing country music but we have never lost our gospel roots". Their sheer energy is quite amazing and what stands out from the interviews is the honesty that each member contributes so that by the end of the DVD you really think that you know each of them quite well. Musically the DVD is superb and the repartee from some of the guests on the floor makes for a really enjoyable listening/viewing experience.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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