50 Number Ones

iTunes Review

George Strait’s success has reached historical proportions with a trail of hits that extends to the moon and back, and to even begin to understand his art you need at least 50 songs, which is where this double-disc collection comes in. While the title is a minor misnomer — all of these songs were big hits, but not all of them made Number One — this is the most definitive summation of modern country’s consummate star. Although it should be noted that some songs have been shortened in order to fit 50 tunes onto two discs, the tracklisting is expertly sequenced and imparts a complete picture of Strait’s essential qualities: integrity, class, sincerity. There are songs here that are still played at weddings, songs that could coax tears from a hardened convict, and radio hits that get everyone from age 8 to 80 singing along with the purest country tunes to appear since Merle Haggard was in his prime. This is a master course in modern country performance.