Bang! One of country music’s straightest shooters hits another bull’s-eye with his latest musical offering. George Strait’s Latest Greatest Straitest Hits , his fourth hits compilation, is a powerful package that once again shows why he is one of country music’s most revered artists.

Strait gets a lot of radio time. He’s been on the airwaves so often and for so many years that many may have started to take him for granted. He makes what he does look so easy that he’s been accused, variously, of coasting, riding his reputation, doing it by the numbers. A quick listen to this CD shows it just isn’t so. The album’s songs, diluted by overplay on the radio, sound fresh, vibrant and stylistically diverse when played against each other in succession.

Numbers on the CD are taken from Strait’s last four studio albums, Lead On, (1994), Blue Clear Sky (1996), Carrying Your Love With Me (1997), and One Step at a Time (1998). The Latest, Greatest, Straitest Hits includes two new cuts, “The Best Day,” currently riding high on the charts and “Murder on Music Row,” a duet with fellow traditionalist, Alan Jackson. The latter song, a timely look at current music industry woes, is a strong statement by two artists with both the clout and the courage to bite the hand that feeds.

Included among the hits is the spunky cajun dance number “Adalida,” the softly tender “Lead On,” and the melancholy “You Can’t Make a Heart Love Somebody.” Strait’s multifaceted talents are demonstrated on four numbers from Blue Clear Sky: the title cut is a simple, joyful ode to new love, “Carried Away” showcases Strait’s vocal abilities, “I Can Still Make Cheyenne” is mournful and subdued, “King of the Hill” is classic, twangy, honky-tonk music at its best.

“True,” from One Step at a Time, is a satisfying mixture of contemporary country guitar rhythms and classic fiddle and steel. “We really Shouldn’t Be Doing This” rides on classic rock ‘n’ roll riffs, and rockabilly vocals yet still sounds country.

Unlike some other artists of the day, Strait has never failed to take care of what’s most important - the music. Strait’s sound is not quite as simple as his laid-back manner and smooth delivery suggest, yet it’s not a whole lot more complicated either. He’s not opening up any new frontiers - just keeping the old ones safe. George Strait, mom, and apple pie - quintessential ameriana. There oughtta be a law!

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Mountain West Music 2002