George Strait 2 on 1 Strait Country/Strait From The Heart Humphead Records HUMP 152

TEXAS-born rancher George Strait, whose musical influences took in Bob Wills and Merle Haggard, arrived on the scene in the early 1980s and brought a sound that helped spur on a new traditionalist movement in the world of country.

That first release was, ironically, given the title of Strait Country and it paved a way back to traditional sounds at a time when the Nashville moguls were scratching their heads to find new country roads to follow.

The album became a legendary leap forward into a new style. His follow-up, Strait From The Heart, gave him a place in country music history and later releases emphasised that he was here to stay. Those first two albums were released in Britain last week on one CD. From the opening track of Unwound through to A Fire I Can’t Put Out, the listener can appreciate why Strait is still up for nominations, and still collecting awards.

In total, 20 tracks that have never faded with time are featured and, to me, would be classed as a great collector’s item.