Disco de George Strait: “Livin' It Up”

This is in many ways a typical George Strait album of the eighties but it finds George in a particularly relaxed mood - almost as if he's trying to tempt a few Don Williams fans to buy the album.

The album yielded two number one country hits (Love without end amen, I've come to expect it from you), both original songs, and a country top five hit (Drinking Champagne), which was a cover of a song originally recorded by Cal Smith. George recorded two songs (Someone had to teach you, She loves me she don't love you) with his road band. The other tracks including the hits were recorded with studio musicians - however, the album flows seamlessly and if you didn't read the credits (or this review) you probably wouldn't realize that different musicians were used. There are plenty of other wonderful songs here including Lonesome rodeo cowboy, We're supposed to do that now and then, When you're a man on your own and Stranger in my arms.

This is a very enjoyable George Strait album. It probably isn't the place to begin a George Strait collection (unless you're also a Don Williams fan) but it definitely desevves a place in such a collection.

What can I say? After 10 years in release and 25 other albums, this is still my favorite. When six out of ten songs rate as instant classic, including four non-singles, you know it's a premier collection. Love Without End, Amen nicely summarizes every father's feelings, both in this world and the next. Extra points for using the word "shiner" in a song. A driving beat and reproachful lyrics that aren't too reproachful put I've Come to Expect It over the top. Satisfaction that occurs when a person's dumper becomes a dumpee themselves is conveyed nicely in Someone Had to Teach You, and We're Supposed To Do That recognizes the fact that love isn't always 24 hours of perfection. The other two favorites, Lonesome Rodeo Cowboy and She Loves Me do great with their respective tempos.

Drinking Champagne is perhaps a tad too lethargic for the emotion it wishes to carry, and its message is nearly a sequel to the situation in When You're a Man On Your Own.

An almost-perfect balance of slow and fast tunes is attained, and feeling and attitude are utilized almost perfectly on every song. The bar is raised even higher than usual.

This is the first George Strait record I got. I'll never forget when I got it, I listened to it alot, more then alot. Great songs on this record of course classics like Someone Had to Teach You, I've Come To Expect to From You, Lonesome Rodeo Cowboy, Drinking Champane, She's Got Me, Love Without End Amen, and Stranger In My Arms make you want to sing, stomp your feet, and let out the Country feeling HEEHAW...Classic George a MUST GET