LIVE REVIEW: George Strait

TAMPA - Safe, solid, as stable as a sunrise: That's George Strait, the country stalwart who's had just as many birthdays -- 55 -- as No. 1 hits. So if you came to the St. Pete Times Forum Saturday expecting a wild 'n' woolly hootenanny, you were in the wrong joint, cowpoke.

Instead, ol' George, as traditional as the clean, crisp hat on his head, set 'em up and knocked 'em down - not a lot of chit-chat, not many how's-your-mamas, just two blissful hours of purebred country and boogieable honky-tonk (including opening dustup "Honk If You Honky Tonk").

The saloon-festooned crowd of 18,233 expected nothing less (and nothing more) from their hero, singing along to every tear-in-your-beer beauty, every Bob Wills-inspired old-school swinger.

It's remarkable how Strait has continued to be a world-turning star throughout country's crossover movement. He has absolutely nada in common with, say, mega-selling saps Rascal Flatts. And he's not exactly Mr. Excitement (no offense). In fact, Strait is so rigid in his traditional aesthetic that it was jarring when he took the stage after his two comparatively risky opening acts.

Model-sexy Kentucky gal Sarah Johns kicked things off with new-school sass, including the feisty heckraiser "The One in the Middle" (yep, she's talking about her finger). And Little Big Town is a quartet that mixes Fleetwood Mac with a fresh can of Skoal. Touring behind new disc "A Place to Land," the band (two men, two women) belted out supernaturally tight harmonies, especially on a doozy cover of the Mac's "Go Your Own Way."

Anywhere else, Little Big Town would be a brutal act to follow. But they don't call him King George for nothing. Strait's sturdy baritone remains a marvel. His impeccable vocal phrasing makes him nothing less than Sinatra in a Stetson.

And yes, with that sly smile, stoic manner and big belt buckle, Strait is also mighty popular with the ladies.

Of course, it also helps that the proud Lone Star native has one of the best backing groups around. His 11-piece Ace in the Hole Band changed gears with panache as George guided them through the midtempo songs ("Ocean Front Property," "Texas"), the whirly throwdowns ("The Fireman," "Heartland") and all that tasty sad stuff ("I Hate Everything," "Run"). Some of Strait's players have been with him since the '70s - and it shows in a real good way.

Performing in the round, with the no-frills stage in the middle of the venue, Strait would unload a couple of hits ("Check Yes or No," "The Chair") at one of his four mikes - then he'd amble on, making sure all of his fans were treated the same.

It was easy to get lulled by Strait's affable efficiency. But when he started to uncork those stone-cold classics, the entire place snapped into a giant sing-along. "Amarillo by Morning" was genuinely moving, especially with the mournful fiddle work of the great Gene Elders. The frisky "Write This Down" had people boot-scootin' and beer-splashin' in the aisles.

And with that smirky grin on his chiseled mug, Strait just kept going: "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls," "Give It Away," "I Can Still Make Cheyenne." 'Cause that's what ol' George does, as steady as a clock, as comforting as a 5 o'clock cold one.

Comments

[Marissa]

This post just looked so lonely. I wanted to give it company with a comment.

[Al]

"The beat's so lonely
I'll bet it's lonely at the top
(So lonely) at the top
(So lonely)....."

- Charlie Sexton

[Marissa]

lol you funny man, Al.

Hi Sean! Just dropping you a note to say hello. I hope you had a great weekend. By the way, those pictures from your photo shoot say you're not so chunky. Still funky, but where's the 3X you're always talking about, huh?

[Al]

Yes, I agree Marissa. Sean is one lean, mean, funky machine! I've been working out every day, cut out the junk, and I've only lost 2 pant sizes......what the secret, Sean?

Seriously!

[JohnYoung]

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