in defense of george strait

Even though he was inducted a few years back into the Country Music Hall of Fame, George Strait doesn't get his due respect.

Not since Conway Twitty has any country artist lobbed so many really good hit records into the upper regions of the charts. Then again, Twitty never really got his due, either. The Strait hits of the 1980's got slagged a lot here in California, and that's just plain wrong. Not only were there a great many hits in Strait's canon, but a high percentage of those songs became real classics. Granted, there are more than a couple in there that are as sacchrine as anything Kenny Rogers ever did, but there are great honky tonk songs, straight up Western Swing that Bob Wills would recognize as his own, and some of the best sad ballads of a generation.

The super-clean productions have held up really well. This is Nashville A-team craft. But the 1980's studio cliches that hurt several other artists longevity aren't in evidence on Strait's records. The playing is spotless, too. And, to George's credit, each of his albums has a cut or two where his road band backs him (as opposed to the usual Nashville ringers), usually on a Bob Wills tune complete with the band stretching out and taking great solos.

"All My Ex's Live In Texas" -- his standout 1987 chartbuster -- remains his signature song. It's a perfect single, with a hook that Goffin & King would have to envy, and a rhythm section grooving on a classic Texas two-beat with a swagger and authority that would do any rhythm section proud.

Honestly, you just can't do this any better.. Now put down that damn Neil Young album and show some respect. Goddam hipsters.