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Review: George Strait serves up his signature styles in 'Cold Beer Conversation'

A few months after George Strait embarked on his historic final tour in 2013, I had the chance to speak to the music producer Tony Brown, a man with whom Strait had worked on countless classics. Brown knew Strait's studio habits as well as his own at that point, so it was interesting to hear his take on how the "King of Country" would approach recording new material after the touring run ended.

Brown told me he wanted to see Strait take a Willie Nelson tack -- in other words, forget what the radio trends dictate and go deep down stylistic rabbit holes. He thought it'd be worthwhile for the troubadour to take an album-length dip in Western swing, a sound that had treated him well on hits such as "All My Ex's Live in Texas" and "Right or Wrong."

Even though I agreed at the time and would still love to hear that album, I had the strong feeling that Strait's radio-chasing days were far from done. And why would they be, when his voice is as classic and easy to process as the steel guitars it's layered over? George Strait is country's standard bearer, so it's important that his new records are thrown in with the newbies' in order to school them every couple of years.

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That in mind, Strait's just released 29th studio album Cold Beer Conversation (MCA Nashville) does its job well. While it's not the kind of groundbreaking collection that will shatter conventions and set a new tone for country, it brings together classic Strait elements. And let's face it, the man just doesn't ever sound forced. That's his gift.

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Produced by Strait and Chuck Ainlay, Cold Beer Conversation offers up several styles of tunes that have all popped up on past albums in the catalog.

Cold Beer Conversation is available at Walmart or on Apple Music.
Cold Beer Conversation is available at Walmart or on Apple Music.

THE BARROOM BURNERS: He's a granddad now and he likes to hunt and fish, but a handful of the tunes on this new album would also lead us to believe that ol' George enjoys knocking back a few from time to time. "Goin' Goin' Gone" could be a cousin to Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places," in that its chorus advocates the beer chasing the blues away. It even ends in a group singalong. "Stop and Drink," with its zydeco leanings, is more about using happy hour to dull the existential worries brought on by the local news. And the finest drinkin' song here comes courtesy of Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson, who cowrote "Cheaper than a Shrink." Johnson even contributes background vocals. 

THE LIFE LESSONS: You'd think Cold Beer Conversation's title track and current single would fit into the last category, but there's some friendly deception going on in the title. It's more about a reliable friendship between two buddies -- the kind of camaraderie that gets you through the day. The constant fiddle behind Strait's vocal brings a happy sigh. Another worthwhile aphorism fuels the mildly reggae-influenced "Let It Go," co-written by Strait with his son, Bubba, and Keith Gattis. And back to the Western Swing sound I mentioned earlier: "It Takes All Kinds" celebrates diversity with a bouncy beat and a couple of well-placed Bob Wills ah-hahs.

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THE HEARTSTRING-TUGGERS: The romantic side of Strait comes roaring back on the tasteful seduction tune, "Something Going Down" -- hard to imagine anyone resisting a croon as rich as his. Longtime Strait hit writer Dean Dillon helps out on album closer "Even When I Can't Feel It," which speaks eloquently about faith and unconditional love. But the one track that will floor anyone who knows the country king's recent history is "Everything I See," whose lyrics quickly reveal that the singer is paying tribute to his late father. It's co-written with Dillon and Gattis by Strait and his son.

THE STRAIT STORIES: Why is George the king of country? Because he can set a scene better than anyone using simple arrangements, natural melodies and plenty of twang. "It Was Love" sets up a romantic story better and more efficiently than any Nicholas Sparks novel. On the flip side, "Rock Paper Scissors" lets the fiddle and steel answer every hard truth sung by Strait in the chorus. And "Wish You Well" is a calming island song about a dude's love fading with each beachside Tecate. And "Take Me to Texas" -- penned by the currently unstoppable team of Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark -- finds George paying homage to the Lone Star State.

Again, I hope Strait will try out some different musical directions in the future -- he's certainly earned the right to experiment. But for now, I'm just glad to have the consummate troubadour back in the game.