Label: Spring Hill Music Group
Producers: Michael Sykes and Duane Allen
Song Titles: “Colors,” “The Absence Of Love,” “The Home Stretch,” “American Beauty,” “This Is America,” “An American Family,” “Let It Ride,” “Sincerely, I Remain,” “G.I. Joe And Lillie,” “Glory Bound,” “Thank God For Kids,” and “The Star Spangled Banner”
The Oak Ridge Boys are back with their third release on the Spring Hill label. Each release has had a specific theme. 2001’s From The Heart saw the Boys returning to their gospel roots. Then in the fall of 2002, we were treated to a Christmas project called An Inconvenient Christmas. Now we can add a patriotic CD to our collections. Titled Colors, this new CD contains ten tunes that are either new or relatively unfamiliar, with two classics concluding the CD.
In addition to the CD, tenor Joe Bonsall is promoting a new book to go along with the biographical song “G.I. Joe And Lillie.” It’s tells the story of Bonsall’s parents; his father, a G.I. who saw action in Normandy on D-Day and his mother, a WAC who met his father when she was taking care of wounded soldiers. The book has been endorsed by Barbara Bush and Tom Brokaw.
Lyrically, Colors goes above and beyond mere flag waving. One aspect that should make this project particularly appealing to Southern Gospel fans is that an image of the Christian faith is included in almost every song. . . white crosses on a soldier’s grave, a lament about churches being empty, a Mama not afraid of dying because she knows Heaven comes next, a statement that simply says “We trust in God,” a picture of Jesus on the wall, a charge not to sit around “waitin’ for the path to Glory,” and church bells. In “G.I. Joe And Lillie,” Bonsall anticipates the day when his parents will be “safe in the arms of Jesus.” Of course, “Thank God For Kids” is a remake of an Oaks classic that has gained greater meaning over time. William Lee Golden inserts the afterthought “for grandkids too” at the end, as he’s been doing in concerts for years. “Glory Bound” is another number that’s probably more gospel in nature than patriotic, but the nostalgic imagery is consistent with the rest of the CD. “The Star Spangled Banner” is not the slickest rendition you’ll ever hear, but like the “Hallelujah Chorus” on their Christmas CD, it’s a little out of the ordinary and interesting in that respect.
Speaking of nostalgia, the song “American Beauty” is simply dripping with it. Who can forget the ‘57 Chevy, Zebco fishing poles, Geronimo, the Enterprise or Earnhardt? Many songs could be and have been written about many of these items, but “American Beauty” collects them all together.
The Oaks have always mixed a degree of performance energy with interesting lyrics. Their sound is one that’s built more around “power harmony” than blend, and this element seems to be increasing as the group members get older. Whatever they may lack in polish is more than redeemed by their passion and sincerity. Above that, they’ve developed a unique sound that’s immediately identifiable when you hear them on the radio.
Rating: 
Author: David Bruce Murray
| Author's Website: http://www.musicscribe.com
Written: 06/16/2003
| 
Category: CD Reviews
Comments: 25
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Nice review, David. This CD has some real emotional gripping songs on it. "The Absence of Love" and "GI Joe and Lillie" had me running for the Kleenex box.
Dear David,
I found your review very interesting & good. I have been listening to the Oaks since 1977. In my opinion, they just keep getting better with age. I love the COLORS cd! My fave cuts are Colors, American Beauty, The Home Stretch, Let It Ride, GI Joe & Lillie & Glory Bound.
Great review!! One of my favorite Oaks CD's!
Thanks Roxanne.
One thing I really like about the Oaks' thematic projects is their originality. So many artists who do Christmas, hymns, patriotic, and other thematic projects will trot out the old standards that we've heard 1000 times before.
The Oaks have always sung new, interesting lyrics on their Christmas projects in the past. It's good to see that carrying over to this patriotic CD.
Thanks David for the kind words regarding COLORS. God Bless You and may he continue to Bless America. CU on down the road.
Joe Bonsall / Oak Ridge Boys
Nice review David, clear, concise and pretty much on-the-button in my opinion. Your comment on Roxanne's post concerning the lyrics is also accurate. Maybe one day a future artist will re-record American Beauty and there will be an inserted lyric mentioning Bobbie Sue and Elvira!
Craig Meads
The Oak Ridge Boys have done it again
and this time I think that it was even
better than before. I listened to
"Colors" the other night when they
sang at the Grand Ole Opery and it
brought tears to my eyes. May God
continue to bless this group as they
continue to add glory to His name.
I love COLORS, it ia awesome. The song GI Joe and Lille makes a tear come to my eye as it reminds me of my dad who has passed away and his love story with my mother. Even my young nephews love this CD. Awesome job keep it up!!!!!
I've been an Oak Ridge Boys fan since "Elvira" came out in 1981 and I still enjoy them to this day. "Colors" is fantastic music and I've played through it several times. My favorite cut, without question, is "This is America." This CD, to me, features Faith, Friends, Family and Freedom very well. Oaks, good music. Keep it up.
Great review David, I would give it five stars though! A new classic has arrived. "Sincerely, I Remain" is a Duane Allen classic lead, and my kids ages 5 and 7 love "Colors" and "Let it Ride."
Colors was a great album, although, it seemed to kinda drag on a little bit. I would love to see them go back and do some of their hits from the 60's and 70's, plus maybe some other similar songs. An American Family was great, but the song just isn't the same without Steve on baritone.
Hello the Oak Ridge Boys, though I may not be able to bring you over for some live gospel singing in Africa, I can airplay your COUNTRY GOSPEL music almost EVERY-day on 90.9fm and 96.9fm, as I am country-HOLIC Gospel deejay:)
http://iam.homewithgod.com/gospeldeejay/mytimetable.html Send me a parcel with your gosple music to this address:_
Job Gathemia.P.O.Box 49256-00100 Nairobi-kenya
The Oak Ridge Boys music was the first I had heard as a child. This CD is the BEST I have ever heard, not only from The Oaks, but anyone! The songs have so much meaning. An American Family is my favorite. I would say the CD deserves 5 stars. It just doesn't get any better than COLORS!!
THIS CD IS THE BEST I'VE HEARD SINCE VOICES. THE HOME STRETCH IS REALLY GOOD ESPECIALLY THE WAY WILLIAM LEE SINGS IT . IT'S GREAT.AS A MATTER OF FACT THEY'RE ALL GREAT
GREAT ARTICLE ON ONE OF THE BEST CDS I HAVE REVIEWED IN YEARS THIS CD HONORS THIS GREAT COUNTRY AND THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE FROM THE TITLE CUT "COLORS" THAT HONORS ALL THE BRAVE ANERICANS WHO HAVE SERVED ABD DIED DEFEND THIS GREAT NATION TO "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER" WICH WILL MAKE YOU STAND UP AND PUT YOUR HAND OVER YOUR HEART TO THE WONDERFUL AMERICAN LOVE STORY G.I. JOE & LILLIE WRITTEN BY JOSEPH BONSALL A HEART WARMING STORY OF A WAR HERO AND HIS LOVING WIFES DEDICATION TO HIM AND A SON LOVE FOR HIS PARENTS BY HONORING THEM WITH THIS HEART TOUCHING SONG WHICH JOE HAS ALSO WRITTEN A BOOK ABOUT THIS IS A CD ALL WHO LOVE AMERICA SHOULD ADD TO THEIR COLLECTION! GOD BLESS/ DAVID BRADDY/BRADDYPHOTO
GREAT ARTICLE ON ONE OF THE BEST CDS I HAVE REVIEWED IN YEARS THIS CD HONORS THIS GREAT COUNTRY AND THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE FROM THE TITLE CUT "COLORS" THAT HONORS ALL THE BRAVE ANERICANS WHO HAVE SERVED AND DIED DEFEND THIS GREAT NATION TO "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER" WHICH WILL MAKE YOU STAND UP AND PUT YOUR HAND OVER YOUR HEART TO THE WONDERFUL AMERICAN LOVE STORY G.I. JOE & LILLIE WRITTEN BY JOSEPH BONSALL A HEART WARMING STORY OF A WAR HERO AND HIS LOVING WIFES DEDICATION TO HIM AND A SON LOVE FOR HIS PARENTS BY HONORING THEM WITH THIS HEART TOUCHING SONG WHICH JOE HAS ALSO WRITTEN A BOOK ABOUT THIS IS A CD ALL WHO LOVE AMERICA SHOULD ADD TO THEIR COLLECTION! GOD BLESS/ DAVID BRADDY/BRADDYPHOTO
I heard colors for the first time on the Fox News channel's Hannity and Colmes. It was great. It symbolizes the American military and American people after 9/11.
:cry:
This morning my husband left to havest potatoes, I just happened to turn the tv onto PAX. There was the Oak Ridge Boys singing GI Joe and Lillie.
I almost thought it was about my in-laws! Their 53rd Wedding Anniversary
is 10-23-2003
I am ordering that song for them! I love it!
I loved the CD Colors. I cried during some of the songs. Anyone who is patriotic should absolutely love this CD. Hurry and come back to BRANSON, MO. :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: THANKS FOR A GREAT SHOW IN THE u>p OF mICHIGAN JUST GOT HOME AND CAN'T BELIVE WE REALY GOT TO SEE YOU ALL, SHOW WAS AWESOME,, YOUR LOVE FOR OUR COUNTRY AND OUR goD SHOWS..
:thumbsup:
Ya'lls show here in Panama City was awesome! Thanks for being here, and for singing your hearts out for us! The Colors cd is off the chain, and we love it, just as we love ya'll! Hope to see ya again one day! Take care! :angel:
Searching for song book/sheet music to Oak Ridge Boys "C-O-L-O-R-S" CD. Where can I purchase if available?
BONNIE YOU CAN CONTACT THE OAKS OFFICE AT:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
DAVID BRADDY/BRADDYPHOTO
MEMBER GEORGIA PRESS ASSN.
searching for song book/sheet music to Alabama's (1985) "C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S" album.
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