Customer Reviews

Strait Out Of The Box

5 star:		(74)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Few mainstream artists can honestly say that every album or song they have cranked out truly represents them. George Strait can. This boxed set is what all other boxed sets should be measured by: top-notch hits, sentimental favorites, and songs from throughout a career. This set is the perfect introduction to Mr. Strait for anyone who wants to learn more about him. The liner notes alone are worth the cost. Strait gives personal commentary on each song and why it was put in the set. He tells you his likes and dislikes, as well as reasons why he prefers to sing songs written by others and not himself. You'll find out that "Marina Del Rey" has something in it that doesn't sit quite right with Strait.

Disc-wise, all four have something on them that is sure to please. Big hits are included as well as a few early tunes written by Strait. I could go into detail about the songs, but all I really need to say is that every song in this set belongs for a reason.

Strait's sound never really strays too far from formula, and that's special, because most artists today come out with one or two solid efforts that don't really catch on with the mainstream crowd and either they or the record company changes them into some silly wannabe pop act or something along those lines. The only time Strait really changed was for the "Pure Country" soundtrack, but even songs like "Heartland" fit Strait's persona. That album also gave us a real gem in the song "Overnight Male." That song single-handedly woke up a bland pop-country audience and introduced them to some old-time, dirty country that seems to be lost today.

Granted, some people may say that Strait made a few gimmicky songs that helped push his career along, but all of these songs have their place in the Strait catalogue. None of them sound out of character, unlike some artists(LoneStar, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, etc.)who find they can make their wallets fatter by putting out so-called country that easily crosses over into the pop category. I'll bet good money that you won't here the words "They call me the fireman..." uttered on a Top 40 station.

In closing, if you want a taste of a real country artist with mass appeal and who never sold out, get this boxed set. It will let you hear what a legitimate country superstar is.

George Strait's influence on modern country music is immense: all you have to do is turn on your local country station and you'll hear some of his countless clones twanging out a tune. Thankfully, Strait didn't follow the pack when he emerged as a hitmaker back in 1981 with the honkytonker "Unwound." Country radio at that time was dominated by the slick pop sounds of Kenny Rogers and Babs Mandrell and the Urban Country crowd. Instead, Strait (along with Ricky Skaggs) returned country to its roots and built upon them on his own terms (as STRAIT OUT OF THE BOX amply attests).

All of Strait's MCA singles through 1994 are included on this four-disc box set except for the "Unwound" imitation "Down And Out" and the dreary "Overnight Success" (smart omissions by the compiler Strait). Yet they make up only forty-two of the seventy-two tracks found on this set. It's those remaining thirty tracks of various origins which make this collection worthwhile for Strait fans who already own the hits.

The set opens with three rare singles that Strait recorded between 1976 and 1979 for the Texas-based D Records. The first two sound like they were cut in too high a key and the only noteworthy thing about any of them is that they were written by Strait (except for a holiday tune, he has contributed no songs to his many MCA albums). Also found on disc one are three previously unreleased recordings that Strait made for MCA between 1982 and 1983. All are good, particularly the lovely and simple "Any Old Love Will Do."

The big finds on the remaining three discs are Strait's collaborations with other artists. The rousing numbers with Hank Thompson ("Six Pack To Go") and Asleep At The Wheel ("Big Balls In Cowtown") make their first appearance on a Strait album while his pairing with Frank Sinatra on "Fly Me To The Moon" shows up on a disc for the first time anywhere (Strait is in fine voice, Sinatra is not).

By the middle of the fourth and final disc, Strait's heretofore distinctive solo performances have become somewhat bland. These tracks are from 1993's EASY COME EASY GO and 1994's LEAD ON CDs. The two new tunes which close out the box set register a hit ("Check Yes Or No") and a miss ("I Know She Still Loves Me"). Since this box set's release, Strait has rebounded with more great efforts.

My only complaint about this box set is that they could have easily fit another two-dozen tracks onto these four discs (Lord knows I have many favorites which didn't make the cut here). Otherwise, the packaging is superb. In the deluxe booklet which accompanies the set, Strait offers anecdotes on each of the 72 tracks. There's also a year by year summation of Strait's recording career since joining MCA, a thorough track discography and many rare photos. Everything is first-rate. Just like Strait's music.

I can thank my father for my love of country music. I was brought up listening to everything from Patsy Cline to Merle Haggard to Conway Twitty. Out of all the music I was reared up on, I heard more George Strait that anyone else. My father, knowing a good thing when he heard it, had every George Strait album and tape released. I knew the words to "The Fireman" before I could count to 100 and can clearly remember dancing to "I Cross My Heart" at prom. George Strait, in one way or another, has been a constant throughout my life, as well as every other country fan. That's why the man's a legend and why his popularity seems to grow with each passing year. In a world where traditional country music is shunned, it's refreshing to know that George has remained as popular now as he did 20 years ago.

"Strait Out of the Box [BOX SET]" is THE George Strait album every fan should own. It's got everything from "The Fireman" to "Check Yes or No" as well as some singles that the average fan has probably never heard of. All of his hits, from the late 1970's up to 1995, are packed into this 4-CD box set. The songs are convienantely listed from earliest to latest, each cd representing a certain period in George's legendary career. All of my personal favorites: "Amarillo By Morning", "If I Know Me", "The Cowboy Rides Away", "Nobody In His Right Mind..", and "Easy Come, Easy Go" are all included as well as a whole bunch of others that I could take all day listing. This is not one of those box sets where you go "Hey! Why's that song not on here?". This box set has every classic Strait song you can think of and more.

In short, if you like George Strait and you like country, you MUST own this box set! If you never ever ever buy another country cd, you have to get this. It's WELL worth the money.
You ain't a country fan or a George Strait fan if you don't have this. Anyone can release a box set, but it takes a legend like George Strait to really pull it off.

Gennie Bailey-Rogers

What can I say about this box set. If you're an avid George Strait fan you'll come to realize that this Box Set has almost every single George Strait song available. The only exception is "You can't make a heart love somebody" which left me disappointed because it was not added on this CD. New songs of George's have been added as well as songs that came around before George became big..kind of like songs he recorded before he was anyone. Lefty's Gone....leaves you chilled to the bone while an early song "her goodbye hit me in the heart" breaks your heart. "My baby's gotten good at goodbye" is probably where George gets his strongest. There isn't a song on this album that is not catchy or worth listening to. George knows how to pick em which has made him the master of country music with Alan Jackson a close second. Go get this CD. It's the greatest of the greatest.

What can you say? Just about every single he's every released (and some that weren't) on 4 discs. You can't beat it.

After listening to some songs, you'll want to get the original album, with all the other songs. And the amazing thing is in another 5 years he'll probably be able to put out another boxed set, with just as many good songs.

George Strait is truly a legend in his own time, and anyone who likes real country music should buy this set. It's truly a blessing someone out there makes so much good music.

Well, this box set has it all. Virtually every single George ever released until 1995 is included. I think the only exclusions are Down And Out, Overnight Success and You Can't Make A Heart Love Somebody, which are not must-haves. You can really hear how George's voice has matured through the years, and the improvement in phrasing and nuances in his singing. It in fascinating to see an evolution take place right before your ears. George has achieved greatly at both the up tempo rocker and the soft ballad. He packs his lyrics with emotion and yearning.

George also hand-picked the twenty-something album cuts that were not singles that are included in the set. This is a major Strait strength. I've always said that any yahoo can string together a few hits. It's the fleshing out an album with strong tune after strong tune that is the hard part. Whenever a new Strait album comes out, I find myself challenged to choose the imminent singles, since there are always 6 or 7 potentials to choose from. One of his most popular non-singles, Blame It On Mexico, and my personal favorite, 80-Proof Bottle, are included. He's great at the fluff songs, like Hollywood Squares, as well as the "meat and potatoes" ones, like Lefty's Gone.

The unreleased tracks feature one of the best songs to hear on the radio in some time, Check Yes Or No. Can't miss duets include Big Balls and Six Pack. Fly Me To The Moon is not my cup of tea, but I appreciate him challenging himself. The earlier songs are admittedly rough around the edges, but still very listenable.

If you don't have the money to throw around on collecting all of his CDs like I've done, Strait Out Of The Box is a great purchase and bargain.

This set is incredible, Disk 3 is as good as music can possibly get (And Disk 2 is not far beind) So many great songs: "If You Ain't Loving You Ain't Living, "Baby's Getting Good At Goodbye", "Bigger Man Then Me". "Hollywood Squares" (Despite what some people think, a funny song right up there with Jerry Reed's "She Got The Gold Mine And I Got The Shaft" and Alan Jackson's "I don't Even Know Your Name" as matrimonial mistake songs.),"You Know Me Better Than That" and "I've Come To Expect It from You", are 6 of my top 10 favorite Strait songs (Out of 18 on that disk) (Throw in "Ocean Front Property" and "When The Sidewalk Ends" and you get 8 of them in one set. Let me mention this to doubters. I have a friend of mine who teases me about loving COW MUSIC, and not liking smooth Jazz, but she too has this set (Knowing how good it is). George Strait (Along with Toby Keith and Alan Jackson) is what is left of quality popular country music, and you will find more quality songs on this set then the cumulative output of everyone except these three, this decade in Nashville. This set is a must have.

Over the years so many country music singers have released box sets sometimes they are good but there is always some songs you don't like. But then when the King of country music releases a box set you are guaranteed a good time with George Strait. This collection is incredible with the great hits that he released to his personal favorites. If you own all of George Straits albums it is very intresting to see which non singles he liked. And then I guess those other songs are unreleased music from the mid 70's of his early career and there are also some new songs that came out on this set. This is a timeless collection from one of the greatest singers in music. Every cd seems to just get better and better but anyone would recommend not to listen to all 4 cd's in row you probably would go crazy but this is great to listen to in different pieces and cd's 3 and 4 have got to be the best. I believe only 2 singles did not make it and those are Down and out a song that George Strait claims he hated. Also missing is Overnight Success for whatever reason. Also a great book full of 72 pages and pictures. Nice box and everything. The nicest box set I have ever seen.

Anyone who has even a slight interest in 20th Century pop music should purchase this concoction because, to the best of my knowledge, it is the only place to get George Strait dueting with Frank Sinatra on "Fly Me to The Moon." That unimaginable pairing, alone, is worth the price of the box set.

Country fans definitely will need this in their collections because it contains more country music than can be heard in a week of nonstop listening to a so-called country radio station these days. It is difficult, if not downright impossible, to conjure up an image of Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill or the rest of those misdirected rock and rollers interpreting any of George's Straits tunes. With an oeuvre as strong as his, its no wonder that George Strait has broken all the rules. Not only is he still scoring huge hits with songs that owe more homage to Hank Williams than Mick Jagger, but he's one of Nashville's few singers over the age of 40 (he's closer to 50) still receiving heavy airplay.

Keep these CDs nearby when listening to the radio. As soon as a non-melodious song by the Dixie Chicks or Kenny Chesney come in, turn it off and listen to George Strait descant genuine country music.

The cream always rises to the top and this box set is a the cream of an artist who sits way at the top of country music. Every George Strait song that ever been played on repeat is in this box set. You could start a radio station that plays nothing but music from Strait's box set and it would be the top country music station anywhere.