George Strait Album: “Always Never the Same”

Description :

Personnel: George Strait (vocals); Steve Gibson, Brent Mason (acoustic & electric guitars); Randy Scruggs (acoustic guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (fiddle); Steve Nathan (piano, Wurlitzer piano); Glenn Worf (bass); Eddie Bayers (drums); Curtis Young, Liana Manis (background vocals); Nashville String Machine. <p>Recorded at Ocean Way and Sound Stage Studios, Nashville, Tennessee. <p>All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology. <p>Folks like to describe George Strait as "dependable"--buy his CD and you know you'll get a collection of high-quality country songs, all delivered in his inimitable style. But Strait has titled his 24th album ALWAYS NEVER THE SAME to underline the fact that his records aren't as predictable as they may seem. As the album proves, it's what Strait does within the confines of each release that makes the difference. As usual, he's turned to his favorite songwriters (Dean Dillon, Jeff Stevens, Jim Lauderdale, etc.) for material, but the songs capture a wide range of emotions, and his performance changes with each one. <p>The title track is an upbeat tune that recalls the Mavericks, while songs like "What Do You Say To That" and "One of You" are simple statements of devotion--one serious, one humorous. Strait gets downright sexy on "That's Where I Wanna Take Our Love" and positively heartbroken on "4 Minus 3 Equals Zero," a standout song about a man who can't grasp the fact that his family is being torn in two. On "That's the Truth," Strait's vocals are so choked with emotion that he sounds like he can barely get the words out. With ALWAYS NEVER THE SAME, Strait has done it again, but it's the way in which he does it that continues to surprise.

Although I didn't become a really big George Strait fan until I saw him in the movie "Pure Country", I think George has always put out excellent records. His latest effort, Always Never The Same, is no exception.

The initial hit single from the album, "Meanwhile", is a classic George Strait country song. The waltzing tempo is reminiscent of one of George's early hit records, "You Look So Good In Love", although "Meanwhile" is a bit slower. And what would a Strait album be without at least one variation on the lost-love theme? Besides "Meanwhile", this record includes two other songs in that same vein, "That's The Truth" and "4 Minus 3 Equals Zero", with the latter song having the added dimension of a marital breakup.

A Strait album is not all cry-in-your-beer, though. From this album, "Write This Down", "One Of You", and the title song, "Always Never The Same", are up-tempo songs that I think will be danced to on a lot of dance floors. Furthermore, George has three positive love songs on this record, "I Look At You", "That's Where I Wanna Take Our Love", and "What Do You Say To That". This collection is listenable and well put together. In Always Never The Same, George Strait has still another excellent record.

George Strait provided one of his best efforts in the album "Always Never The Same." The best song from the Album, "Write This Down" was Number One in country music for FOUR consecutive weeks. Only "Amazed" from the ONE HIT WONDER group Lonstar, was number 1 longer (it was played over and over and over and over...). "Write This Down" was written by Dana Hall and the Late Kent Robbins - who was one of the most talented and class-act songwriters in Nashville for 25 years. George did the song justice. But I am AMAZED that the CMA did not even nominate it for song of the year! In my books it was! Great album and a lot of fun.

as a fan of both country and rock and roll i'd have to say this album tops the last 5 or so george is one guy that i never get tired of listening to[and that's a fact]his music just proves that he is like fine wine[it gets better with time]the same can be said about george and having been a follower of his music since the beginning i would have to say i agree when people label him as King George after all #1 entertainer in all of country music[also my #1 in country]#2 over all right after the Artist formely known as Prince and his music just gets better and better a true lengend....

In a fashion only George has mastered, this album is solid from start to finish. All the songs and open, honest, and devoid of glitz that has come to rule the Nashville studios. I love the traditional to the contemporary, and all artists, including myself, have a lesson to be learned here: The music is what matters... millions of effects and overproduction are not necessary to be the best. What it takes is simplicity and honesty... two of George's strongest points