I first discovered the Oak Ridge Boys shortly after the release of their very popular gospel album, "Jesus Christ, What A Man!."  This album and their subsequent releases, "Light" and "Street Gospel," confirmed the Oaks as my favorite gospel music group.  Their polished, yet earthy sound, coupled with a strong selection of both exciting and thought-provoking material made me a committed fan.
My fellow Oaks' fans and I were not sure what would happen to our favorite group when they signed onto the secular label, Columbia Records.  Their first self-titled release, which mixed the quartet sound way into the background and which served up songs such as "Loves Me Like A Rock" (which, to be honest, struck some of us as sacrilegious), left many of us scratching our heads.
I attended my very first, but far from last, Oaks concert during their tour promoting this new release.  It was here I discovered their self-produced "Hymns" album being sold after the show at their merchandise table in the back of the auditorium. It has remained a favorite of mine throughout the decades since.

My interpretation at the time was that the Oaks produced this album so as to reassure their longtime fans that they had not abandoned either gospel music nor their Christian beliefs. To my knowledge, this particular record was not available at stores but sold only at live performances.  It's a fine album although I do have one gentle complaint. The length of the album is just over twenty-four minutes...total. Each side breezes by with a few songs only a little over a minute long. Surely a couple more hymns could've been included on the project.  Although some list "Street Gospel" as Willie Wynn's final ORB project, I'm guessing this was recorded after leaving Heartwarming Records and prior to their debut Columbia release as this was not released on Vista (Heartwarming's budget project label) but on the Oaks' own private label.  Willie certainly seems at home delivering his beautiful, heartfelt renditions of "God Will Take Care Of You," and "The Old Rugged Cross."  They're really gospel masterpieces.
There are some very lively performances of classic hymns as well such as "Power In The Blood," "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder," and "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms," all executed in an energetic and exciting manner.  William takes the lead on a few of these rousing numbers, and as usual he does a fine, smooth job.

Richard's warm delivery of "In The Garden" is to me, his finest...deep and melodic. He also has a fine, if brief, solo on the catchy "Standing On The Promises."  He certainly wins my vote as Best Bass Gospel singer ever (no offense to any of the other greats!)

Early in the album Duane truly shines on his stirring offering of "How Great Thou Art."  The group here delivers a beautiful and inspiring performance. "Amazing Grace" opens with what sounds like Duane and William harmonizing on the first verse, and then Willie and Richard as well as the entire band coming in on the second. Very moving indeed as the crescendo builds to the powerful finale.
Speaking of the musicianship, I'm assuming that it is the Oaks' band playing throughout, and they do a superb job.  Tony Brown's keyboard work in particular stands out to me. Wonderful piano runs as well as a very traditional church-sounding organ on a few tunes. I've always wondered why a band this good was omitted from most of the Oaks' Columbia work and all of their later country material with the companies opting instead for what to me was a more sterile, cookie-cutter studio musician approach.

The Hymns album closes with a very sincere and uplifting delivery of "God Be With You" with yet another wonderful Willie solo. A fitting farewell to the Oaks' faithful fans.  A friend of mine at the time, perusing the album cover happened to notice the Star of David necklace William was wearing and queried, "I wonder if he's a Messianic Jew?"  William's album liner notes serve as an introduction to the project and are interesting, if a bit vague.  Not so vague are the clear and direct choice of hymns.  Unlike their "Hand-Clappin', Foot-Stompin..." (you get the idea,) project where, for some reason, they felt compelled to include a few songs "way-off topic," the Hymns album may offer some unique, upbeat interpretations of standard songs, but the focus is most definitely a traditional Christian and God-glorifying message that just about any gospel music lover would be pleased with.

I'm just bemused that no one has ever re-released this fine album in CD format.

                                                                                                                                                                          -James Rubino