Customer Reviews

Holding My Own

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For over twenty years, George Strait has been cranking out an album a year with a nice balance of upbeat western swing and moving ballads of a romantic or mournful nature. 1992's HOLDING MY OWN has its share of both. "You're Right (I'm Wrong)" and the leadoff single "Gone As A Girl Can Get" are worthy additions to his uptempo formula while "All Of Me (Loves All Of You)" and the title track are certainly pleasant ballads.

What makes this album such a treat - and one of Strait's best - is his ventures into new areas of music. The domestic tale - and second single "So Much Like My Dad" is the album's finest track. Strait's voice has rarely revealed so much sensitivity as he sings the most heartfelt "mama" this side of Wynonna Judd. The popish "Wonderland Of Love" would be right at home on a Kenny Rogers CD, but provides new territory for Strait. It is interesting to hear him sing an upbeat tune without much emphasis placed on his trademark Texas twang (as endearing as that twang may be). It shows that Strait could excel in the Adult Contemporary format if he so chose (which he doesn't).

HOLDING MY OWN creates the overall impression that 11 years into his major label career, Strait was truly enjoying his music and felt secure enough to give anything a try that he liked. "It's Alright With Me," for instance would be right at home in a '60s Elvis movie. While the potential is there for cheesy disaster, Strait's effortless and joyous delivery makes one forget what a mindless romp it is and instead creates the urge for the listener to join in.

While not one of his best selling albums, HOLDING MY OWN is one of Strait's best, most diverse efforts. Get it now while it is available at a budget price!

Like has been said before, it's unfortunate that this solid album immediately preceded George's most popular one, Pure. Only two songs were released from it. Several potential singles did not get the chance they deserved.

The first four songs are impressive. You're Right and Holding are great contrasts in tempo, with both containing great choruses and melodies. Gone As a Girl is about as catchy as a single can get, and So Much does a great job in lookng at a relationship from a different perspective. Other highlights include It's Alright With Me, which is a solid rocker, and I love the "Throw another log..." line. Wonderland is not bad, but a little too much fluff.

The weakest songs are probably Here We Go and All of Me. They are both missing the extra texture that other ballads of George have.

Because the soundtrack of "Pure Country" came out not long after the release of "Holding My Own", this wonderful album has been overlooked. This is George Strait at his very best. Every track is a delight to the ears. Please, if your a George Strait fan you need to add this one to your collection. If you don't know if you would like a Strait album or not, I highly recommend this one! My personal favorites are "You're Right I'm Wrong", "I'm Holding My Own", "Gone As A Girl Can Get", "Trains Make Me Lonesome", "Wonderland Of Love", "It's All Right With Me", "Faults And All", and "Here We Go Again". Gee, that's practially the entire album!!! The remaining songs are good too. You can't go wrong with this one!!!

I think "Holding My Own" is in the top tier of George CDs. "Gone As A Girl Can Get" and "Wonderland Of Love" Are country classics, and "Trains Make Me Lonesome" should be. It is one of the best written, clever GS songs of them all (Not quite "You Know Me Better Then That" or "Ocean Front Property", but not far behind). If you like GS, this should be in your collection. I know it came out the same year as "Pure Country" and right after "Chill Of An Early Fall", so it gets neglected, but it really does Hold Its Own, with those two masterpieces.

If you had to put all Strait's discs in order of quality this one would decidedly go in the bottom third but that doesn't mean there isn't good material. "Gone as a Girl Can Get" was a great single, and "So Much Like My Dad" is practically worth the cost of the cd alone. "Trains Make Me Lonesome" is one of his few bad songs, and some of the others are more generic than we expect from Strait.

An often overlooked album because of the release of the Pure Country soundtrack a few months later, It deserves some more recognition. This is a great disc full of upbeat country tunes and cool ballads. Everything you'd expect from George Strait.

The entire process was very professional. I ordered the CD on line, it was delivered a few days later. You can't beat it.

George's last "great" album due mainly in part to the collaboration with producer Jimmy Bowen. This album's fanfare was foreshadowed by the following album "Pure Country", which was good, but it lacked the genious of George's previous albums. Bowen and Strait parted company after "Holding my Own" (Bowen left to run Capitol Nashville);producer Tony Brown had taken over for MCA records for "Pure Country", and the result has been lackluster use of Strait's amazing talent ever since.

Holding my own is one of Strait's best albums to date. It is one of his more overlooked albums and maybe not as popular. There may have only been two singles off of this but it deserved alot more radio airplay. It is a quite upbeat album to with songs like Your Right I'm Wrong, and Faults and all and so many more. Buy this it is a good listen.

Great singer and great cd. I have this cd and think it is great and would recommend to any George Strait Fan