The "For the Last Time" in the title does not refer to the last concert George Strait ever gave, nor does this suggest that this is a farewell to live albums; in fact, it's the first live album Strait has ever released. The "last time" refers to the last concert of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo ever given in the Houston Astrodome, a show that Strait headlined, breaking records by drawing 68,266 people, the largest audience the venue ever saw (for the record, he top-lined the first Livestock Show at its new home, Reliant Stadium). This was a big, big occasion — highlighted by an on-stage guest spot by former President George Herbert Walker Bush, where number 41 proclaimed that "everyone in Texas loves him and everyone across this country loves his music" — so it makes perfect sense that it would be commemorated with an audio souvenir, and For the Last Time isn't bad at all on those terms. Its biggest problem is its nature: it captures a big-stage, big-sound production, where it's about the spectacle as much as the music, so when it's presented as a CD, it's not as exciting as the concert, nor is it as exciting as many of his straight studio records. It's professional, well-performed, and enjoyable without being dynamic, surprising, or lively; it never feels as lived-in or real as the best of Strait's music. Part of the reason for that is the song selection, which is heavy on ballads and mid-tempo numbers, de-emphasizing harder country and Western swing. When they do go for purer country, such as on the death-of-country-music lament "Murder on Music Row," it sounds great, but this is not about gritty country, this is a soundtrack to spectacle. It's fine as that, but it's not the great live George Strait album it could have been.
GEORGE STRAIT
FOR THE LAST TIME
MCA 70319February/2003
Produced by George Strait
Rick McRae - guitarJoe Manuel - ac.guitar
Benny McArthur - guitar/fiddle
Mike Daily - steel/dobro
Terry Hale - bass
Gene Elders - fiddle
Steve Nathan - piano
Wes Hightower - vocals
Recorded live at The Houston Astrodome
1.
DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
(June Hershey - Don Swander) « © '41 Melody Lane Publications, BMI »[ instrumental ] **********
2.
WRITE THIS DOWN
(Kent M. Robbins - Dana Hunt Oglesby) « © '99 Irving Music, BMI / Neon Sky Music, ASCAP »I never saw the end in sight fools are kind of blind
Thought everything was going alright but I was running out of time
Cause you had one foot out the door I swear I didn't see
But if you're really going away here's some final words from me
Baby write this down take a little note to remind you in case you didn't know
Tell yourself I love you and I don't want you to go write this down
Take my words and read 'em every day
Keep 'em close by don't you let 'em fade away
So you'll remember what I forgot to say write this down
[ guitar ] I'll sign it at the bottom of the page I'll swear under oath
That every single word is true and I think you need to know
So use it as a bookmark stick it on your fridgerator door
Hang it in a picture frame up above the mantle where you'll see it for sure
Baby write this down take a little note...
You can find a chisle I can find a stone
Folks will be readin' these words long after were gone
Baby write this down take a little note...
Oh I love you and I don't want you to go baby write this down
**********
3.
I CAN STILL MAKE CHEYENNE
(Aaron Baker - Erv Woolsey) « © '95 Hit Street Music, BMI »Her telephone rang bout a quarter to nine
She heard his voice on the other end of the line
She wondered what was wrong this time
She never knew what his calls might bring
With a cowboy like him it could be anything
She always expected the worst in the back of her mind
He said it's cold out here and I'm all alone
I didn't make the short go again and I'm coming home
I know I've been away too long
I never got a chance to write or call
And I know this rodeo has been hard on us all
But I'll be home soon and honey is there something wrong
She said don't bother coming home
By the time you get here I'll be long gone
There's somebody new and he sure ain't no rodeo man
He said I'm sorry it's come down to this
There's so much about you that I'm gonna miss
But it's alright baby if I hurry I can still make Cheyenne
Gotta go now baby if I hurry I can still make Cheyenne
He left that phone danglin' off the hook
Then slowly turned around and gave it one last look
Then he just walked away
He aimed his truck toward that Wyoming line
With a little luck he could still get there in time
And in that Cheyenne wind he could still hear her say
She said don't bother comin' home...
She never knew what his calls might bring
With a cowboy like him it could be anything
She always expected the worst in the back of her mind
**********
4.
HEARTLAND
(Steve Dorff - John Bettis) « © '92 Warner-Tamerlane Publishing, BMI / John Bettis Music, ASCAP »When you hear twin fiddles and a steel guitar
You're listenin' to the sound of the American heart
And Opry music on a Saturday night
Brings a smile to your face and a tear to your eye
Sing a song about the heartland the only place I feel at home
Sing about the way a good man works until the daylight's gone
Sing the rain on the roof on a summer night
Where they still know wrong from right
Sing a song about the heartland sing a song about my life
[ guitar ] Sing a song about the heartland...
**********
5.
LOVE WITHOUT END AMEN
(Aaron Baker) « © '89 O Tex Music, BMI »I got sent home from school one day with a shiner on my eye
Fightin' was against the rules and it didn't matter why
When dad got home I told that story just like I'd rehearsed
Then stood there on those trembling knees and waited for the worst
And he said let me tell you secret about a father's love
A secret that my daddy said was just between us
He said daddies don't just love their children every now and then
It's a love without end amen it's a love without end amen
When I become a father in the spring of eighty-one
There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my father's son
And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end
I took my daddy's secret and I passed it on to him
And I said let me tell you secret...
Last night I dreamed I died and stood outside those pearly gates
When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake
If they know half the things I've done they'll never let me in
And then somewhere from the other side I heard these words again
And he said let me tell you secret...
**********
6.
CHECK YES OR NO
(Danny Wells - Dana Hunt Oglesby) « © '95 Sixteen Stars Music, BMI / Dixie Stars Music, ASCAP »It started way back in third grade I used to sit beside Emmylou Hayes
A pink dress a matching bow and her pony tail
She kissed me on the school bus but told me not to tell
Next day I chased her round the playground
Across the monkey bars to the merry-go-round
And Emmylou got caught passing me a note
Before the teacher took it I read what she wrote
Do you love me do you wanna be my friend
And if you do well then don't be afraid to take me by the hand
If you want to
I think this is how love goes check yes or no
Now we're grown up and she's my wife
Still like two kids with stars in our eyes
Ain't much changed I still chase Emmylou
Up and down the hall around the bed in our room
Last night I took her out in a white limousine
Twenty years later she still gets to me
Can't believe it's been that long ago
When we got started with just a little note
Do you love me...
Do you love me...
**********
7.
FIREMAN
(Wayne Kemp - Mack Vickery) « © '78 Tree Publishing, BMI »Well they call me the fireman that's my name
Makin' my rounds all over town puttin' out old flames
Well everybody likes to have what I got
I can cool 'em down when smolderin' hot
They call me fireman that's my name
Last night they had a bad one a mile or two down the road
Well my buddy walked out and left this woman burnin' out of control
Well I was down there in bout an hour or so
With a little mouth to mouth she was ready to go
I'm fireman that's my name
They call me the fireman that's my name...
[ fiddle - steel ] I've got fire-engine red T-bird automobile
In a minute or less I can be dressed fit to kill
I work twenty-four on and twenty-four off
When they get too hot they just give me a call
I'm fireman that's my name
Call me fireman that's my name...
Call me fireman that's my name
**********
8.
RUN
(Tony Lane - Anthony Smith) « © '01 Almo Music, ASCAP »If there's a plane or a bus leavin' Dallas I hope you're on it
If there's a train movin' fast down the tracks I hope you caught it
Cause I swear out there ain't where you oughta be
So catch a ride catch a cab don't you know I miss you bad
But don't you walk to me
Baby run cut a path across the blue skies
Straight in a straight line you can't get here fast enough
Find a truck and fire it up lean on the gas and off the clutch
Leave Dallas in the dust I need you in a rush so baby run
If you ain't got a suitcase get a box or an old brown paper sack
Pack it light or pack it heavy take a truck take a Chevy baby just come back
There's a short cut to the highway out of town why don't you take it
Don't let that speed limit slow you down go on and break it
Baby run cut a path across the blue skies...
Baby run oh baby run
**********
9.
MURDER ON MUSIC ROW
(Larry Shell - Larry Cordle) « © '03 Pier Five Music, BMI »Nobody saw them running from 16th Avenue
They never found the fingerprints or the weapon that was used
But someone killed country music cut out its heart and soul
They got away with murder down on Music Row
The almighty dollar and the lust for worldwide fame
Slowly killed tradition and for that someone should hang
Oh but they all say not guilty but the evidence will show
That murder was committed down on Music Row
For the steel guitars no longer cry and fiddles barely play
But drums and rock'n roll guitars are mixed up in your face
Ol' Hank he wouldn't have a chance on today's radio
Since they committed murder down on Music Row
[ fiddle ] They thought no one would miss it once it was dead and gone
They said no one would buy them ol' drinkin' and cheatin' songs
Well there ain't no justice in it and the hard facts are cold
Murder's been committed down on Music Row
For the steel guitars no longer cry and you can't hear fiddles play
With drums and rock'n roll guitars mixed right up in your face
Why the Hag he ain't got a chance on today's radio
Since they committed murder down on Music Row
Why they even tell the Possum to pack up and go back home
There's been an awful murder down on Music Row
**********
10.
CHAIR
(Hank Cochran - Dean Dillon) « © '85 Tree Publishing, BMI »Well excuse me but I think you've got my chair
No that one's not taken I don't mind if you sit here I'll be glad to share
Yeah it's usually packed here on Friday nights
Oh if you don't mind could I talk you out of a light
Well thank you could I drink you a buy oh listen to me
What I mean is can I buy you a drink anything you please
Oh you're welcome well I don't think I caught your name
Are you waiting for someone to meet you here
Well that makes two of us glad you came
No I don't know the name of the band but they're good
Aren't they would you like to dance
Yeah I like the song too it reminds me of you and me
Tell me do you think there's a chance
That later that I could drive you home no I don't mind at all
Oh I like you too and to tell you the truth that wasn't my chair after all
Oh I like you too and to tell you the truth that wasn't my chair after all
**********
11.
SHE'LL LEAVE YOU WITH A SMILE
(Odie Blackmon - Jay Knowles) « © '01 Big Yellow Dog Music, BMI / Cal IV Entertainment, ASCAP »At first she's gonna come on strong like she'll love you all night long
Like it's going out of style then she'll leave you with a smile
You're gonna give her all your heart then she'll tear your world apart
You're gonna cry a little while then she'll leave you with a smile
Well you can't help but wonder why you can't help but love her
But you can't help but love her
And all that hurtin' was more than worth it
It's written all over your face
One day you'll pass her on the street with that guy you used to be
She'll say hello and walk on by still she'll leave you with a smile
[ piano ] Well you can't help but wonder...
At first she's gonna come on strong like she love you all night long
Like it's going out of style then she'll leave you with a smile
Oh she's gonna love you she's gonna leave you with a smile
Oh she's gonna love you she's gonna leave you with a smile
**********
12.
AMARILLO BY MORNING
(Terry Stafford - Paul Fraser) « © '73 Cotillion Music, BMI »Amarillo by morning up from San Antone
Everything that I got is just what I've got on
When the sun is high in the Texas sky I'll be buckin' in the country fair
Amarillo my morning Amarillo I'll be there
They took my saddle in Houston broke my leg in Santa Fe
Lost my wife and a girl friend somewhere along the way
But I'll be looking for aid when they pull that gate and I hope the judge ain't blind
Amarillo by morning Amarillo's on my mind
Amarillo by morning up from San Antone
Everything that I got is just what I've got on
I ain't got a dime but what I got is mine I ain't rich but Lord I'm free
Amarillo by morning Amarillo's where I'll be
Amarillo by morning Amarillo's where I'll be
**********
13.
LIVING AND LIVING WELL
(Tony Martin - Mark Nesler - Tom Shapiro) « © '01 Blackwood Music, BMI »Had a nice little life a little boat a little beach a little routine I liked
A blue ocean view free to go with the flow anywhere that I wanted to
But the moment you set foot on my shore that's when I knew
There's a difference in living and living well
Can't have it all all by yourself
Something's always missing till you share it with someone else
There's a difference in living and living well
Till you sailed with me thought that I had it good as good as it could be
From the back of my deck caught a fish caught a breeze and a thousand red sunsets
But sittin' here with you girl I just saw the best one yet
There's a difference in living and living well...
My days are brighter my sky a deeper blue
My nights are sweeter when I'm with you
There's a difference in living and living well...
Living well I'm living well
**********
14.
TAKE ME BACK TO TULSA
(Bob Wills - Tommy Duncan) « © '41 Anne Rachel Music, ASCAP / Peer International, BMI / Red River Songs, BMI »You see that gal with red dress on some folks called her Dinah
Stole my heart away from me way down in Louisiana
Take me back to Tulsa I'm too young to marry
Take me back to Tulsa I'm too young to marry
[ fiddle ] Well the big bee sucks the blossom and the little bee makes the honey
Poor man throws the cotton and the rich man makes the money
Take me back to Tulsa...
[ piano - guitar ] Walk and talk to Suzy walk and talk to Suzy
Walk and talk to Suzy walk and talk to Suzy
Take me back to Tulsa...
[ steel ] Well I always wear the great big smile never do look sour
Travel all over the country playing music by the hour
Take me back to Tulsa...
[ fiddle ] Take me back to Tulsa...
**********
15.
BLUE CLEAR SKY
(Bob DiPiero - John Jarrard - Mark D. Sanders) « © '96 Tree Publishing, BMI »You swear you've had enough you're ready to give up
On that little lie they call love then out of a blue clear sky
Fallin' right into your hands like rain on a desert's sands
It's the last thing you had planned headin' out of the blue clear sky
Here she comes a walking talking true love
Saying I've been looking for you love
Surprise your new love has arrived out of a blue clear sky
Ain't love a funny thing one day you're giving up the dream
And the next you're picking out a ring out of the blue clear sky
Here she comes a walking...
[ steel ] Here she comes a walking...
Here she comes a walking...
Out of a blue clear sky
**********
16.
COWBOY RIDES AWAY
(Sonny Throckmorton - Casey Kelly) « © '83 Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP »I knew the stakes were high right from the start
When she dealt the cards I bet my heart
Now I just found a game that I can't play
And this is where the cowboy rides away
And my heart is sinking like a setting sun
Setting on the things I wish I'd done
It's time to say goodbye to yesterday
And this is where the cowboy rides away
[ fiddle - guitar - steel ] **********
