Country Mike Blog

Oak Ridge Boys show creativity on new project

Mike Sudhalter  |  May 8, 2012

The Oak Ridge Boys showcased a new version of their sound on "When Country Meets Dixie."

Some genres shouldn't be cross-collaborated upon, most specifically Heavy Metal and Polka, but Country and Dixieland Jazz - both products of the southern United States - are a little more compatible.

The legendary Oak Ridge Boys have always had wonderful harmonies, and they recently collaborated with the New Orleans Big Band giants, Dukes of Dixieland, on a 12-song album that featured some of their classic songs like "Bobby Sue", as well as a gospel tunes such as "Uncloudy Day", "Closer Walk With Thee" and "Little Talk with Jesus" and of course, "Elvira."

The combination of the ORB's sounds, along with the Jazz backing, is a good way of putting a new spin on old yarn, while many of their contemporaries are simply recycling the same old greatest hits packages.

The ORBs get an 'A' for creativity and versatility. I'm sure they had fun doing this, and the fans benefit from it, too.