"Strait-up" country with a steel guitar
By CHRISTIE BOLSEN
Scene Music Critic
For the 30th time straight, George Strait will leave you with a smile.
Out of 29 albums, all of which earned at least gold status, Strait never did a live album. On his latest release, For the Last Time — Live from the Astrodome, he changes this with 16 tracks of his pure country classics. Included are unforgettable songs from all the high points of his amazing career, which spans over two decades. Since his debut release of Strait Country in 1981, he has 25 platinum records and 50 No. 1 singles, making him not only one of country's biggest stars, but also a leading male vocalist across all genres.
Live from the Astrodome is a compilation of hits performed at Strait's well-known stomping grounds, Houston's Astrodome. The singer and producer was a regular at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which is moving its location from the Astrodome to Houston's new Reliant Stadium this year. On March 3, 2002 he bid farewell to the show's home of 37 years for an audience of over 68,000 fans. In the audience was another famous country Texan named George who likes wearing cowboy hats and boots — none other than President Bush with First Lady Laura Bush.
Strait's live performances are flawless, making the album solid listening from the first track, "Deep in the Heart of Texas," all the way to "The Cowboy Rides Away," which ends the album with swaying western heartbreak. From 1983, he sings the gorgeous "Amarillo by Morning" with his familiar gentle rhythms and the crowd's appreciation as background. The silky fiddle weaves in and out of the typical country down-on-my-luck vocals: "They took my saddle in Houston, broke my leg in Santa Fe / Lost my wife and a girlfriend somewhere along the way." Only Strait can pull off such honky-tonk sentiments without sounding cheesy.
From 1990, "Love Without End, Amen" is one of Strait's essential singles. The acoustic and steel guitars ripple behind the touching lyrics that have become a timeless testament to fatherly love. "Check Yes or No" and "Write this Down" are upbeat, playful love songs Strait is known for doing so well. On a more serious note, "I Can Still Make Cheyenne" is a slow, apologetic ballad with a lovely acoustic twang and melancholy fiddle.
Strait loves the traditional country sound; the steel guitar and the fiddle are not only prominent instrumentally in his songs but also get lyrical references in two. "Heartland" begins by paying homage: "When you hear twin fiddles and a steel guitar / You're listenin' to the sound of the American heart." The fabulous "Murder on Music Row," which he released with Alan Jackson amid controversy, reveals Strait's opinion on contemporary country that strays from Nashville's roots. "The steel guitars no longer cry and fiddles barely play / But drums and rock n' roll guitars are mixed up in your face."
Every song is executed with such studio perfection that only the cheers and Strait's occasional commentary distinguish the album as live. While there are disappointing omissions, such as "You Look So Good in Love" and "Carrying Your Love With Me," he has such an extensive repertoire of hits that many quality songs were excluded. Last year's "She'll Leave You With a Smile" and "Living and Living Well" prove that Strait's enduring success is due to his ability to evolve musically while staying true to his sound, trademarked by his beloved fiddle and steel guitar.
President Bush sums it up perfectly in a speech about Strait on the album. "Everyone at the rodeo loves him, everyone in Texas loves him, and everyone across our country loves his music."
Contact Christie Bolsen at bolsen.1@nd.edu
All Scene Stories for Tuesday, February 18, 2003
