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George Strait - 'Troubadour'

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George Strait - 'Troubadour'

George Strait - 'Troubadour'

MCA Nashville
Troubadour Bottom Line:

George Strait does it again. His music has a timeless feel to it and it becomes an immediate classic. His voice has a quality that never goes out of style and he holds the record for the most number one hits by a solo artist. This album is sure to add to the record. An absolute must have for any country music fan.

Album Number 37

Troubadour is the 37th studio album for George Strait and the title track offers a reflective look back at the path his career has taken. The distinctive voice heard in the background of this great song is indeed label-mate Vince Gill. The first single, "I Saw God Today," set another personal record for Strait. It debuted at number 19 on the country radio charts, the highest to date for any other song in his career, and later topped the charts. The song is extremely well written and designed to make you stop and really think about so many things you take for granted.

As I listened to the album, I really liked the flow. It has a little of everything in it. Since Strait is from Texas, I always expect a little western swing in his albums and there was absolutely no disappointment there. "West Texas Town" can swing with the best of them. You'll have to put your dancing shoes on for this one because there is no way you will be able to sit still through it. Strait enlists the vocal talents of Dean Dillon, who's written 13 of his hits going all the way back to the beginning, to help him out, and the two of them make a great team on this fun song.

Tribute to Johnny & June

George Strait

George Strait

MCA Nashville
There was a deep void left in the country music community with the passing of Johnny & June Carter Cash. They also had a major historical impact on country music as we know it. Patty Loveless joins Strait to sing "House of Cash" in an amazing blend of musical talent that has to be my favorite song on the album. I love the very definitive sound of the mountain music as well as the emotional levels that are coming out of the artists as they sing. They make it a very fitting tribute to some great people.

For the second time, Strait and his crew headed for Key West and Jimmy Buffet's Shrimpboat Sound to record an album. "River of Love" has a little bit of that island sound thrown in and is a light-hearted "feel good" song.

I also really enjoyed "Brothers of the Highway," a tribute to the truck drivers of our country. The song calls them ships of the highway and says to 'sail on, sail on.' He uses great analogies in the song and makes it fun to listen to. Maybe the location just helps add to the fun in making the album, but you can tell that everyone was enjoying what they were doing. There is nothing like a little balmy ocean breeze with a tropical drink on the beach to relax you after a long day in the studio.

Not a bad song to be found

The 12-track album has a great flow from start to finish. There just isn't a bad song in the bunch and it is one I have listened to over and over without getting tired of it. Strait has an uncanny ability to choose music that reaches out to the emotions of his fans and that ability is what has allowed him to remain a steady fixture on the radio. As long as Strait continues to make the music, the fans will keep listening.

Release date: April 1, 2008 - MCA Nashville

Troubadour Track List:

  1. "Troubadour" watch video
  2. "It Was Me"
  3. "Brothers of the Highway"
  4. "River of Love"
  5. "House of Cash" (Duet with Patty Loveless)
  6. "I Saw God Today" listen to audio
  7. "Give Me More Time"
  8. "When You're in Love"
  9. "Make Her Fall in Love With Me Song"
  10. "West Texas Town" (Duet with Dean Dillon)
  11. "House With No Doors"
  12. "If Heartaches Were Horses"

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