The Oak Grove Sessions CD from singer-songwriter Will Rogers ventures into many different genres and styles throughout the hour-long playing time. The 66 minutes that make up the album find Rogers creating songs that have a rock feel, a country feel or blues feel depending on the song all on one release. And with the inclusion of several songs that feature Kelly “K.K.” Hicks on lead vocals, the album never stays in the same musical vein for more than a song or two before the listener is taken in a completely different direction. The 2012 release from Will Rogers starts off with the track “It’s Your Love”. Taking some influence from bands like The Eagles or Poco, “It’s Your Love” is a song that is equal parts rock and country. The country feel in the rock music of the song is present enough to add a little flavor to the sound, but the rock part is what comes through the most as Rogers sings about the love that makes his life complete. While keeping with a rock sound, the track “I Love the Night” takes on a bluesy feel. Like “It’s Your love” before it, “I Love the Night” brings to mind someone like Kenny Wayne Shepherd. And while the blues is only one part of Rogers’ influences, that influence is very strong and it’s on “I Love the Night” that you get to experience it and enjoy what the blues gives the music of Will Rogers on this release. Many different musical genres show up on The Oak Grove Sessions by Will Rogers. On the song “Wichita,” a little more of the country influence shows up. In fact, the fiddle from Matt Leavenworth really brings out the country flavor on the track. Each time the musical ground on the album shifts, the listener gets to hear a new side to Will Rogers. “Wichita” helps bring Rogers’ country side a little closer to the forefront. With what is going on in today’s world, many bands and musicians feel the need to make their voices heard and opinions known. On the songs “New Legislation” and “2084,” Will Rogers writes songs that are very politically motivated. While not calling anyone out by name, these two songs by Rogers help shine a light on issues in today’s world that many are choosing to ignore. And though Rogers could have case with stronger words, the present sting on these tracks is strong enough. Although the vast majority of the 2012 release from Will Rogers contains original material, there are a few moments on the album where Rogers presents his versions of two well-known tunes. It is on the Beau Brummels’ song “Just a Little” and the song “House of the Rising Sun” from The Animals that Rogers creates new takes on classic songs. And while Rogers could have easily done note-for-note copies, the remakes of the tracks bring the songs into the 21st century. It’s not just Will Rogers who is featured as singer on this 2012 release. Another singer-songwriter, Kelly “K K” Hicks makes a few appearances on the album, as well. It is Hicks who contributed to the aforementioned song “New Legislation” as well as “Break Away” and Dragon Beast”. The addition of another voice, both in the musical sense and the writing sense, gives even more variety to this album. And it’s a welcome addition, as the songs from Hicks are some of the best on the album. Taking the music of Will Rogers and bringing out its full potential, album producer and multi-instrumentalist Joe Laquidara is just as important to The Oak Grove Sessions as Rogers is. It is Laquidara that helped make the album all it could be. One of the strongest elements that Laquidara brings to the music of Will Rogers is the talent to hear what is not there and make it show up. That talent shines through on the track “Precious Love”. The addition of strings to the song helps to enforce the beauty in Rogers’ lyrics on this song. This track and others on the album have been made stronger with Joe Laquidara as producer. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way as you listen to The Oak Grove Sessions from Will Rogers. Each of these twists, along with the musicians who are also part of the release, create a very enjoyable listening experience as you play the new album from Will Rogers and just let the music take you away. Artist: Will Rogers Album: The Oak Grove Sessions Review by Matheson Kamin Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)