Personnel: George Strait (vocals, guitar); Brent Mason (acoustic, electric & gut-string guitars); Steve Gibson (acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Steve Nathan (keyboards); Glenn Worf (bass); Eddie Bayers (drums); Liana Manis, Wes Hightower (background vocals); The Nashville String Machine.
Recorded at Ocean Way, Nashville, Tennessee.
All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.
Early in his career, George Strait said he wanted people to hear his name and "immediately think of real country music." By this, his 27th album, he must feel that he's reached that point. For country fans, a new Strait CD is as close to a sure thing as you can get, and GEORGE STRAIT doesn't disappoint.
As always, Strait serves up a mix of romance, heartbreak and sly humor, all delivered in his inimitable low-key style. He also adds some history to the mix, with covers of Mel Street's doozy of a cheatin' song, "Looking Out My Window Through the Pain," and Hank Cochran's classic shuffle "You're Stronger Than Me." "Go On" is textbook Strait, and reminiscent of his early hit, "The Chair." Another standout is the rollicking "Don't Make Me Come Over There and Love You," with its mock-threat of some heavy-duty cowboy romance. But it's the CD's closing track, "She Took the Wind From His Sails," that's the true surprise here. Pairing a beautiful melody with almost unbearably poignant lyrics, this story song about a young couple struck by tragedy is an unusual choice for Strait, but his gentle delivery makes it the CD's most affecting moment.
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