Customer Reviews

22 More Hits

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I eagerly purchased 2004's 50 NUMBER ONES, but was disappointed with the editing that was done to cram all of those songs onto two discs. [Many of the songs on that release were shortened by 20 to 30 seconds or more!]Three years later with the sequel to that disc, 22 MORE HITS, what you get are the unedited, full-length versions of some of George Strait's biggest hits that span his more than 25 years in country music. For the casual fan, this is an excellent companion to 50 NUMBER ONES and provides an excellent overview of one of country music's most enduring artists. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This 22 song CD is a companion set with a 2004 CD called "50 Number Ones". This latest offering, "22 More Hits", features 21 hit singles for George Strait that didn't hit #1 but were radio hits and fan favorites. There are several of his Top-20 hits missing, including "Down and Out", "King of the Mountain", and the more recent efforts: "Tell Me Something Bad About Tulsa" and "Seashores of Old Mexico".

Whatever the case, 20 songs on this collection showcase all of George Strait's Top-10 hits during the years of 1981 through 2007...the fact that so many of his songs hit #1 it's easy to mistake several of the songs on here as #1 hits even if they really didn't go all the way. Two of Strait's songs, "The Fireman" and "The Cowboy Rides Away", were among the songs that fans were puzzled by since neither song was on the 50 Number Ones collection from 2004...two of his most popular songs in concert...so, according to George Strait, this "22 More Hits" collection was put together to spotlight many of the hit songs that didn't reach #1 with a heavy emphasis on the material recorded the last 5-6 years.

This is a perfect companion set to 2004's "50 Number Ones"...both CD's feature similar cover art. The CD kicks off with his current Top-10 hit, the #3 smash "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls". The reason behind this, obviously, is to promote his current single at the same time promote his previous hit songs. "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls" is also on the album IT JUST COMES NATURAL, released in 2006. As mentioned earlier, quite a few of these hits are from the last 5-6 years with just enough '80s and '90s hit singles from Strait to entice sales...this is the track listing and the chart position each hit song achieved:

1. How 'Bout Them Cowgirls; 2007 #3
2. Amarillo By Morning; 1983 #4
3. The Fireman; 1985 #5
4. Gone as a Girl Can Get; 1992 #5
5. When Did You Stop Loving Me; 1993 #6
6. Marina Del Rey; 1983 #6
7. Desperately; 2004 #6
8. The Cowboy Rides Away; 1985 #5
9. Lovebug; 1994 #8
10. Cowboys Like Us; 2003 #2
11. She Let Herself Go; 2005 #1
12. You'll Be There; 2005 #4
13. Don't Make Me Come Over There and Love You; 2001 #17
14. What Do You Say To That; 1999 #4
15. Drinking Champagne; 1990 #4
16. You're Something Special To Me; 1986 #4
17. Meanwhile; 1999 #4
18. Adalida; 1995 #3
19. If You Can Do Anything Else; 2001 #5
20. Unwound; 1981 #6
21. If You're Thinking You Want a Stranger; 1982 #3
22. Overnight Success; 1990 #8

This "22 More Hits" and the earlier "50 Number Ones" from 2004 are both essential for the casual fan who does not own the individual albums from which the hits originally appeared on. "22 More Hits" spotlights every Top-10 single that didn't hit #1 for Strait with the inclusion of the #1 hit, "She Let Herself Go", and the Top-20 hit, "Don't Make Me Come Over There and Love You", making the collection have it's total of 22 songs. "She Let Herself Go" was released as a single and hit #1 after the release of the 50 Number Ones collection as to why it's included on this collection of "non-number one" hits.

The editorial review was a bit harsh, though. Time and time again it's been explained that in order for an artist of George Strait's longevity to continue having big radio hits he had to evolve with the times. Had he stayed exactly the same as he was in 1981 without changing ever so often he would not have survived the 'new country' explosion in the early to mid 1990's. He had no choice but to expand and embrace the newer sounds in country music, and the newer kinds of country songs being written, or be off the radio and off a major label...and that isn't something anyone who goes to Nashville as a struggling singer wants to happen once they get their foot in the door. Strait got his foot in the door in 1981...building on his career that by the time 1986 rolled around he was in the super-star category...and in 1987 he became the first country artist to have an album debut at #1, the "Ocean Front Property" album.

The editorial mentions that over the course of time Strait said 'goodbye' to the sounds of George Jones, Buck Owens, and Bob Wills which was another unfair statement. Country singers should be given room to grow and evolve and experiment instead of them continually being pressured to fit into some pre-determined mold, not feeling free to experiment. Strait built his career on a style of music he loves but then as he gained more control over his career and became even more successful, as most artists do, they feel comfortable enough to branch out and experiment. Strait, to his credit, has remained truer to traditional country music but this doesn't mean it's all he is suppose to sing because when you restrict an artist it does them a disservice, actually.

A no-brainer. George Strait IS modern country music, plain and simple. Like, I suspect, many of his fans, I felt the admittedly impressive 2004 collection 50 Number Ones was somehow missing something. And I was right: Many of Strait's best-loved songs didn't quite make it to Number One on the charts. And so what? Every song in THIS collection was a hit, regardless of how high it climbed. And if you're a fan, I'll bet there's no more than 2 or 3 tracks here that you don't think are great.

A very minor quibble, but I felt I should point this out. 50 NUMBER ONES included extensive liner notes about the songs. 22 MORE HITS offers nothing more than the release dates and lists the albums from which these songs came. Not that the songs really need explaining or justifying, but it would have been a nice touch for the fans.

This is an essential addition to fans of George Strait or country music in general. And for those latter-day converts who have been brought to country music by people like Carrie Underwood, 22 MORE HITS is a textbook example of How To Make Great Country Music. Highly recommended.

Although I already own all of these songs on other CDs, it's great to have them grouped together. I could have just this CD with my 50 Number Ones and be happy. I haven't listened closely yet to see if this recording has the same problem with 50 Number Ones, where each song was shortened to get it to fit on one CD. I haven't noticed anything yet. Great recordings and great songs. Some of these songs I can't believe never made it to Number 1, such as Amarillo By Morning and She Let Herself Go. Of course, a lot depends on what other songs are out at the time.

As we move away from CDs, it'll be sad we don't get these types of compilation albums. It really makes you realize just how amazing George Strait is and how many great songs have been out.

when I purchased George Strait's 50 Greatest Hits I had the option to get this one of 22 more hits. Great music. It's amazing how many great hits George has when you begin to count them.

Last Christmas I bought 22 More Hits for my daughter. She's been a fan of his for a very long time. She listens to the 22 More Hits almost every day as she drives. She loves it!

George Strait has a sincere, pure quality in his voice. I find some country singers a little too nasal, but George has a nice sound. He puts honest emotion into each song. Sometimes when all the songs are by one singer, they get boring, but he varies the style. This album has a pleasing mix.

I highly recommend it.

I am not much of a country musis fan, but there are exceptions and this is one of them. George Stait always brings some pleasure to your music collections.

Great CD, lots of great ones, the good ones you don't hear anymore. Any Strait fan would like this CD.

I have all of George Strait's cds and this is a must have for any fan.

King George has a lot of great hits. This is a great album to add to any country music collection. I also own the "Fifty Number Ones" album, and this makes a great addition.