There has been occasions, and not only those in later years but a little before that Texan George Strait’s work had become a little predictable. Here it is George Strait alright, but it seems like he has thrown off some shackles and is genuinely enjoying himself. Songs come from the likes of Jamey Johnson, Tom Shapiro; Wyatt Earp, Keith Gattis, Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, his son, Bubba Strait, Bill Anderson Buddy Cannon and a man to whom Strait has gone to on countless occasions, Dean Dillon and other Nashville songwriters as a new vitality washes over his music.
Strait himself has a hand in writing a few, western swing delight “It Takes All Kinds” among them (a credit to the genre). Closely followed in the popularity stakes you have “Stop And Drink”, “Cold Beer Conversation”, “Goin’ Goin’ Gone” and lilting ode “Let It Go”, and on top of this Strait is accompanied by the cream of the crop regards players; Stuart Duncan, Paul Franklin, J.T Corenflos, Brent Mason, Mike Rojas, Greg Morrow, Mac McAnally and Glenn Worf plus some fine harmony vocals courtesy of Wes Hightower, Marty Slayton, Thom Flora, Perry Coleman, Jamey Johnson and Buddy Cannon, and to top it all, Strait vocally is in peak form.
Strait’s ability to come through with music and songs of a similar sound to those he’s done in the past, but at the same time remain sharp, fresh and even after 30 years plus making records (this is his 29th studio recording) his music still possesses a welcoming feel. While not quite up to his early albums of Strait Country, Strait From The Heart, Right Or Wrong and Does Fort Worth Cross You Mind it is well worth checking-out and adding to your country stock pile.
Loaded in country steel, fiddle and lead guitar, rhythm and harmony vocals he hits the highest of highs (most certainly so if you are a fan of real western swing) on “It Takes All Kinds”. What a cut, it swings like crazy, and it is one he had a hand in writing with Bubba Strait, Bob Regan and Wil Nance; when the next western swing awards come around if it doesn’t get the award as best song there is either a new all-time classic out there or there is no justice this side of the Red River.
Backing it up Strait to the sound of accordion etc also nails “Stop And Drink”, and on reverting to slow country ballads “Everything I See” likewise is superb and on taking on a stronger, near Jamey Johnson-like feel “Rock Paper Scissors” has him up the ante. But in truth that isn’t what Strait does best especially when an easy flowing “Wish You Well” and “Cheaper Than A Shrink” immediately follow it in the running order.
Maurice Hope