Customer Reviews

Strait Out Of The Box

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

This is an awesome gift for someone who loves George Strait... I can't get enough of him. I've played my cds so much.. some of them have gotten scratched:(.. now I have to buy a new set.
Tonya
Monroe, LA

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.

I was a year old when George Strait came out with the hit "Unwound." The box set really is a walk down memory lane for me. I can recall most times in my life with the George song that was popular at the time. This box set will keep you busy and entertained. It contains all the best along with "Check Yes or No" which is truly a new Strait classic. As strong as George is today, with the box set coypyrighted 8 years ago, I think George is due another set!!!! Definitely a winner. A true class act!

I think that George Strait is a wonderful country music singer. The guy that I was dating bought me "Pure Country" he told me that for us to pick a song it would have to be a very special song that had a specific meaning and that I would remember forever. Towards the end of the movie "Rusty" played by George Strait sings a song called "I cross my heart." My guy sat on my living room floor holding my hand and looking me in the eye singing that song to me. It was a very memorable moment and I will never forget it. Although this guy and I are no longer together it was one of the sweetest things a guy ever did for me. Thank you George for making that year and a half of my life so memorable!

George Strait (along with Ricky Skaggs)started the trend of returning country music back towards its traditional roots in the 1980s. Each song is a winner. George Strait can sing a soulful ballad such as "Marina Del Rey" as well as a toe tapping Texas swing tune " I can't see texas from here". Every time I hear "AM I Blue" I feel like dancing. One of my favorites is the rodeo ballad "Amarillo by Morning" which tells the life of a cowboy on the rodeo circuit.

Unlike other box sets, each CD has its own indivisual CD box. The box set also contains a booklet that gives extensive information on each song and George Strait's career.

I purchased this right when it came out in stores,its the cobo of all his seperate best of packages stored into 4 cds. this is one of the best purchases i have ever made, i have sveral best of from other country singers at this is right up there w/ the dolly parton collection that also happens to be a box set. if you are a true country fan then you will have this in your collection.

George Strait is often called King George for a reason. This box set contains not only some of the greatest country music to come out of Nashville, but some songs I'd never heard before. There's a duet with Frank Sinatra, the ultimate story-song "The Chair," and so, so, so, many others.

Buy this set if you like Country, if you like Strait, or if you want to like either.

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 feel that this box set captures all of George Straits greatest moments and songs.