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For the Last Time: Live From the Astrodome - George Strait | |
Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
Having been a recording star since 1981 one could assume that between his numerous greatest hits albums that George Strait would've had released a live recording before now. Well, he hadn't until For The Last Time - Live From The Astrodome was released. This album contains sixteen George Strait favorites and a couple of his concert staples. This CD is also special because it is a relic of the final performance ever at the Astrodome, which was knocked down as a new rodeo areana was being completed.
A short instrumental version of "Deep In The Heart Of Texas" starts the CD off on a right track. If you haven't ever been to a George Strait concert before, with this song you can see what a stellar band, the Ace In The Hole band, George Strait has behind him.
"Write This Down" is a number one hit from 1999 that was originally on his Always Never The Same CD. Here it sounds vibrant and fresh. George's voice hasn't sounded so good before. A song about making sure his lady writes down his stated love for her.
"I Can Still Make Cheyenne" is another great song. The fiddle on the song sounds markedly different from George's studio version which makes me wonder why he doesn't use his band in the studio. Being a song about a rodeo man, there is not a more perfect song for this concert which was at the end of the Houston Rodeo in 2002. This song was a Top 5 hit in 1996 from George's masterpiece of an album, Blue Clear Sky.
Former President George Bush gives George Strait a rodeo award in between songs. George goes on to sing "Love Without End, Amen" in honor of the former President being present at George's concert. This song also happens to be one of my favorite songs. Any father or son can relate to its honest lyrics about family bonds.
"Check Yes Or No" is one the biggest hits in George's long career. Previously only available via his Strait Out Of The Box boxed set, the version presented here sounds a lot like the studio version but I can tell from the roaring crowd in places that the fans truly love this song.
"The Fireman" is a song that I've heard a long time ago but one that radio doesn't play that much. Still it's a fun uptempo fiddle laced song about a smoldering hot relationship. Presented here, it sounds really great and I could see a band covering it in the future. Actually Kenny Chesney could probably do well with it if there ever was a George Strait tribute CD released.
Songwriter Anthony Smith's "Run" is the first of the three singles from George's last CD, The Road Less Traveled to appear on this album. Without the studio trickery of the drum machine the song sounds a little bit different but it still sounds great. In fact, some will prefer this version because it doesn't have a drum machine.
Prior to starting to sing "Murder On Music Row," George introduces it as a song that he sang with his friend Alan Jackson. On this version, George sings the whole thing. He does it quite well and you can tell he really believes the sentiment of how radio (and Nashville) has changed and stopped using fiddles and steel guitar. It's as political a statement as a country music singer can get.
One of my all-time favorite George Strait songs is "The Chair." The clever lyrics about approaching a woman at a bar are simply classic. This is another number one hit from 1985. The song may be seventeen years old now but it still sounds like it could be a hit again on the radio.
"She'll Leave You With A Smile" is the George's latest song to hit number one the charts. It was the song that broke Conway Twitty's record for most number one hits on any music chart, and thus leaves George with a smile that says he is the all-time number one hit maker on country music radio. This song originally appeared on his 2001 release The Road Less Traveled.
Any country music fan that doesn't know "Amarillo By Morning" hasn't been around that long. It is one of George Strait's earliest hit songs and still has a sound to it, like many of his do, which makes it timeless. It is still played on numerous country stations 20 years after it topped the charts.
"Take Me Back To Tulsa" is one of the "previously unreleased" songs included with this album. It is introduced by George as a Western Swing song that he says he couldn't complete a concert without. It is a Bob Wills classic that has also been recorded by Asleep at the Wheel, George Jones, Flatt & Scruggs and Hank Thompson. George sounds great here as he does throughout the CD. This song, like "Deep In The Heart Of Texas" is a song that shows off the great band George has toured with throughout his whole career.
"The Cowboy Rides Away" is a song that George sings as the ending song of almost every concert he does. It is a song that is from his landmark Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind? album from 1984. It was a Top 5 song for him back then and I am surprised that I don't really remember it. It is a nice song to end a very nice live recording.
If there is anything negative to say at all in regard to For The Last Time - Live From The Astrodome it is that the CD isn't a double CD with more of the songs from his concert. I am sure he sang more than sixteen songs from his vast catalog. That being said for those, like me, who have never been lucky enough to see George Strait in concert, you will truly enjoy this record. Those who have seen George will also probably like this for they can have something to remember their concert experience better. Ths CD is a worthy addition to any country music fan's collection.
Song List:
Album cover and soundclips courtesy of MCA Nashville.
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