George Strait Always Never The Same CD

Personnel: George Strait (vocals); Steve Gibson, Brent Mason (acoustic & electric guitars); Randy Scruggs (acoustic guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (fiddle); Steve Nathan (piano, Wurlitzer piano); Glenn Worf (bass); Eddie Bayers (drums); Curtis Young, Liana Manis (background vocals); Nashville String Machine.
Recorded at Ocean Way and Sound Stage Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.
All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.
Personnel: Steve Gibson, Brent Mason (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Randy Scruggs (acoustic guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (fiddle); Nashville String Machine (strings); Steve Nathan (piano, Wurlitzer organ); Eddie Bayers (drums); Curtis Young, Liana Manis (background vocals).
Recording information: Ocean Way Studios; Sound Stage Studios, Nashville, TN.
Photographer: Mark Tucker .
Unknown Contributor Role: Chuck Ainlay.
Arranger: Bergen White.
The problem with George Strait is this: His albums are so consistently good that a fine effort like Always Never the Same runs the risk of getting overlooked simply because it's not a masterwork like 1996's Blue Clear Sky (to pick but one). Of course, we should wish that all artists could have such a problem. With his smooth, emotive voice, George Strait continues to show the rest of the pack how country music can (and should) be done. Always Never the Same, like the rest of his albums, never panders to the latest trend that happens to be sweeping Nashville at the time. Strait has always remained true to his country roots, and here they are in evidence once again. Songs like "Meanwhile," "What Do You Say to That," "That's the Truth," and the title track are classic Strait songs, building on the 20 years of success he's had as a pure neo-traditionalist. Always Never the Same doesn't offer anything new from George Strait, just the same great voice put to work singing solid songs in a pure country style. ~ Martin Monkman
Folks like to describe George Strait as "dependable"--buy his CD and you know you'll get a collection of high-quality country songs, all delivered in his inimitable style. But Strait has titled his 24th album ALWAYS NEVER THE SAME to underline the fact that his records aren't as predictable as they may seem. As the album proves, it's what Strait does within the confines of each release that makes the difference. As usual, he's turned to his favorite songwriters (Dean Dillon, Jeff Stevens, Jim Lauderdale, etc.) for material, but the songs capture a wide range of emotions, and his performance changes with each one.
The title track is an upbeat tune that recalls the Mavericks, while songs like "What Do You Say To That" and "One of You" are simple statements of devotion--one serious, one humorous. Strait gets downright sexy on "That's Where I Wanna Take Our Love" and positively heartbroken on "4 Minus 3 Equals Zero," a standout song about a man who can't grasp the fact that his family is being torn in two. On "That's the Truth," Strait's vocals are so choked with emotion that he sounds like he can barely get the words out. With ALWAYS NEVER THE SAME, Strait has done it again, but it's the way in which he does it that continues to surprise.Entertainment Weekly (3/5/99, p.67) - "It's to his credit as a stylist that Strait can imbue even the most lightweight modern country material with the kind of grace that makes it soar at radio. But on his 24th album, Strait never forgets to prove his mettle with the honky-tonk masters..."
- Rating: B+
Q (6/99, p.112) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...Strait...is a fine melanchilist and droll swinger who still sounds fresh on his 24th album. ALWAYS NEVER THE SAME is reddles with coutnry wit...throbbing pain and hurt...and, from time to time, the zestful western bounce of his earlier work..."