Disco de George Strait: “Somewhere Down in Texas”

Descripción (en inglés) :

Personnel: George Strait (vocals); Steve Gibson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Nashville String Machine (strings); Matt Rollings (piano, synthesizer); Steve Nathan (Hammond b-3 organ); Glenn Worf (bass guitar); Eddie Bayers (drums); Wes Hightower, Marty Slayton (background vocals). <p>Recording information: OceanWay, Nashville, Tennessee. <p>On SOMEWHERE DOWN IN TEXAS, the ever-reliable George Strait stays the course he'd charted for years prior, which is to say that he once again manages to combine mainstream appeal with a classy, understated country style that makes no secret of his roots in George Jones, Merle Haggard, and the like. Unlike nearly every other country star of his era, Strait never comes anywhere near the rock trappings or power ballads that are de rigeur in so much contemporary country. There may be the occasional extraneous orchestration here and there, but any album that opens with "If the Whole World Was a Honky Tonk" and lives up to the title must have its heart in the right place. Along the way, there are echoes of Roger Miller's slightly jazzy sound ("The Seashores of Old Mexico") and Dwight Yoakam's neo-Bakersfield boogie ("High Tone Woman"), some strikingly inventive harmonic twists ("Good News Bad News"), and a broken-hearted ballad that's arguably the album's highlight ("Ready For the End of the World"). Ultimately, what truly amazes is the way Strait makes putting together such a sophisticated, pleasure-giving album seem so easy.

Every song on this CD is great and I guarantee you will enjoy it unless...

a. You think the word "Badonkadonk" belongs in a country song.

b. You think Cowboy Troy is anything but rap.

c. You consider Big & Rich country.

If you do not agree with any of the above statements you will love this CD. This is country at its best from a REAL COUNTRY SINGER.

He hits it deep and it is gone. This is another home run by George Strait. Listening to the entire CD makes me wonder if this is his last one. Somewhere Down in Texas may be the song he takes into the sunset. The same one he says he will watch from his porch in Texas. Nothing needs to be said for You'll be There because it is all in the song. I believe his theme song just may be Texas. Bad News, Good News is a wonderful duet with Lee An Womack. If this is his last one he goes out big.

George Strait may be the only one country singer who can have me purchased his new album right away with a tune unheard! And his works have never disappointed me. His new album, Somewhere Down In Texas, is one of the greatest country albums in the past 2-3 months for me. It's a pity because I'm Thai and there's no way I can see his live show here in Thailand. Never mind, I can have him anytime at my living room performing great stuff just for me. Where the hell did I put his DVD concert?

No, this won't go down as one of George Strait's best CD's. While a few of the songs really are terrific (the smash autobiographical title song hit for sure), most are not that memorable. But when the performer is one of the best male voices on the air; one who's humble persona and clean-cut life just begs for adulation; it takes little more than "nice" to be just fine for eleven new songs that by and large entertain. In addition to the great title cut, his duet with Lee Ann Womack is outstanding, even if she does steal the show by singing her heart out on a true country ballad for a change instead of trying to cross-over into Faith or Shania pop territory. We just wish there had been more than just the one phrase in two-part harmony by these two, in what is an awfully short story song.

Other fun cuts include the lead song "If The Whole World Was A Honky Tonk"; "The Seashores Of Old Mexico"; the clever lyrics of "She Let Herself Go"; and the visionary "Ready For The End Of The World". While the other songs might seem more like filler, filler from George Strait is still pretty darn good. We suspect this CD will be quite successful - while maybe not one of his barnburners, still a very likable addition to his collection! Enjoy...