Livin' It Up

This is in many ways a typical George Strait album of the eighties but it finds George in a particularly relaxed mood - almost as if he's trying to tempt a few Don Williams fans to buy the album.The album yielded two number one country hits (Love without end amen, I've come to expect it from you), both original songs, and a country top five hit (Drinking Champagne), which was a cover of a song originally recorded by Cal Smith. George recorded two songs (Someone had to teach you, She loves me she don't love you) with his road band. The other tracks including the hits were recorded with studio musicians - however, the album flows seamlessly and if you didn't read the credits (or this review) you probably wouldn't realize that different musicians were used. There are plenty of other wonderful songs here including Lonesome rodeo cowboy, We're supposed to do that now and then, When you're a man on your own and Stranger in my arms.This is a very enjoyable George Strait album. It probably isn't the place to begin a George Strait collection (unless you're also a Don Williams fan) but it definitely desevves a place in such a collection.