April 10, 2008

5:15pm Thursday 10th April 2008

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George Strait -Troubador (MCA/Humphead Records)

WHEN George Strait hit the country scene in the Eighties, he became the leader of what was called 'the hat act'. Always resplendent in his white stetson, he also brought a change to the Nashville output with the spirit of western swing influencing his music. At a time when country music was leaning towards the urban cowboy movement, George bounced onto the scene with his traditional sound and the rest, as they say, is history.

Since his first number one in 1983, he has hardly been out of the charts and, in 1985 and 1986, won the Country Music Association's Male Vocalist of the Year award followed by the Entertainer Of The Year Award in 1989 and 1990.

His new release, Troubadour, is sheer class from the first note through to the final cut, If Heartaches Were Horses. His first single release taken from the album, I Saw God Today, is number two in the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart this week. This is one of the best albums that George has produced. On reflection, it seems I find myself writing that each time he offers us a new album. Long may he continue.