Music Review: George Strait shows versatility on new CD 'Troubadour'

George Strait, "Troubadour" (MCA)

As one of country music's traditional standard-bearers, George Strait mistakenly gets described at times as conservative or predictable. The wide-ranging, often surprising "Troubadour" should put that notion to rest, once and for all.

In fact, "Troubadour" emphasizes the opposite sides of Strait's musical tastes. Several songs are as contemporary and pop-influenced as he's ever sounded, as in "River of Love," which unfolds to an upbeat island rhythm. Also, the complicated country-rock arrangement of "Brothers of the Highway" shows off Strait's vocal range in ways few songs of his past ever have.

On the other side, he steps back in time with the rousing two-stepper, "Make Her Fall in Love with Me Song," and a delightful western swinger, "That West Texas Town," a duet with Strait's favorite songwriter, Dean Dillon. Strait also soars in another duet, this time with the great Patty Loveless, on "House of Cash," a fiery tribute to Johnny and June Carter Cash.

Strait has only rarely veered into the over-the-top sentimentality that runs through some contemporary country songs, but his current hit, "I Saw God Today," is the kind of formulaic tear-jerker better left to lesser artists. But "Troubadour" finds Strait taking risks - a rare move for an artist with a three-decade track record. For the most part, his gambles pay off nicely.

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