Disc-wise, all four have something on them that is sure to please. Big hits are included as well as a few early tunes written by Strait. I could go into detail about the songs, but all I really need to say is that every song in this set belongs for a reason.

Strait's sound never really strays too far from formula, and that's special, because most artists today come out with one or two solid efforts that don't really catch on with the mainstream crowd and either they or the record company changes them into some silly wannabe pop act or something along those lines. The only time Strait really changed was for the "Pure Country" soundtrack, but even songs like "Heartland" fit Strait's persona. That album also gave us a real gem in the song "Overnight Male." That song single-handedly woke up a bland pop-country audience and introduced them to some old-time, dirty country that seems to be lost today.

Granted, some people may say that Strait made a few gimmicky songs that helped push his career along, but all of these songs have their place in the Strait catalogue. None of them sound out of character, unlike some artists(LoneStar, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, etc.)who find they can make their wallets fatter by putting out so-called country that easily crosses over into the pop category. I'll bet good money that you won't here the words "They call me the fireman..." uttered on a Top 40 station.

In closing, if you want a taste of a real country artist with mass appeal and who never sold out, get this boxed set. It will let you hear what a legitimate country superstar is.


Strait Country   February 7, 2002
James E. Bagley (Sanatoga, PA USA)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

George Strait's influence on modern country music is immense: all you have to do is turn on your local country station and you'll hear some of his countless clones twanging out a tune. Thankfully, Strait didn't follow the pack when he emerged as a hitmaker back in 1981 with the honkytonker "Unwound." Country radio at that time was dominated by the slick pop sounds of Kenny Rogers and Babs Mandrell and the Urban Country crowd. Instead, Strait (along with Ricky Skaggs) returned country to its roots and built upon them on his own terms (as STRAIT OUT OF THE BOX amply attests).

All of Strait's MCA singles through 1994 are included on this four-disc box set except for the "Unwound" imitation "Down And Out" and the dreary "Overnight Success" (smart omissions by the compiler Strait). Yet they make up only forty-two of the seventy-two tracks found on this set. It's those remaining thirty tracks of various origins which make this collection worthwhile for Strait fans who already own the hits.

The set opens with three rare singles that Strait recorded between 1976 and 1979 for the Texas-based D Records. The first two sound like they were cut in too high a key and the only noteworthy thing about any of them is that they were written by Strait (except for a holiday tune, he has contributed no songs to his many MCA albums). Also found on disc one are three previously unreleased recordings that Strait made for MCA between 1982 and 1983. All are good, particularly the lovely and simple "Any Old Love Will Do."

The big finds on the remaining three discs are Strait's collaborations with other artists. The rousing numbers with Hank Thompson ("Six Pack To Go") and Asleep At The Wheel ("Big Balls In Cowtown") make their first appearance on a Strait album while his pairing with Frank Sinatra on "Fly Me To The Moon" shows up on a disc for the first time anywhere (Strait is in fine voice, Sinatra is not).

By the middle of the fourth and final disc, Strait's heretofore distinctive solo performances have become somewhat bland. These tracks are from 1993's EASY COME EASY GO and 1994's LEAD ON CDs. The two new tunes which close out the box set register a hit ("Check Yes Or No") and a miss ("I Know She Still Loves Me"). Since this box set's release, Strait has rebounded with more great efforts.

My only complaint about this box set is that they could have easily fit another two-dozen tracks onto these four discs (Lord knows I have many favorites which didn't make the cut here). Otherwise, the packaging is superb. In the deluxe booklet which accompanies the set, Strait offers anecdotes on each of the 72 tracks. There's also a year by year summation of Strait's recording career since joining MCA, a thorough track discography and many rare photos. Everything is first-rate. Just like Strait's music.


The BEST Box Set Ever!   November 17, 2001
Gennie Bailey (Savannah, Georgia United States)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

I can thank my father for my love of country music. I was brought up listening to everything from Patsy Cline to Merle Haggard to Conway Twitty. Out of all the music I was reared up on, I heard more George Strait that anyone else. My father, knowing a good thing when he heard it, had every George Strait album and tape released. I knew the words to "The Fireman" before I could count to 100 and can clearly remember dancing to "I Cross My Heart" at prom. George Strait, in one way or another, has been a constant throughout my life, as well as every other country fan. That's why the man's a legend and why his popularity seems to grow with each passing year. In a world where traditional country music is shunned, it's refreshing to know that George has remained as popular now as he did 20 years ago.

"Strait Out of the Box [BOX SET]" is THE George Strait album every fan should own. It's got everything from "The Fireman" to "Check Yes or No" as well as some singles that the average fan has probably never heard of. All of his hits, from the late 1970's up to 1995, are packed into this 4-CD box set. The songs are convienantely listed from earliest to latest, each cd representing a certain period in George's legendary career. All of my personal favorites: "Amarillo By Morning", "If I Know Me", "The Cowboy Rides Away", "Nobody In His Right Mind..", and "Easy Come, Easy Go" are all included as well as a whole bunch of others that I could take all day listing. This is not one of those box sets where you go "Hey! Why's that song not on here?". This box set has every classic Strait song you can think of and more.

In short, if you like George Strait and you like country, you MUST own this box set! If you never ever ever buy another country cd, you have to get this. It's WELL worth the money.
You ain't a country fan or a George Strait fan if you don't have this. Anyone can release a box set, but it takes a legend like George Strait to really pull it off.

Gennie Bailey-Rogers


I wish I could give it 6   January 15, 2000
Pete Kic (York, Ontario)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

What can I say about this box set. If you're an avid George Strait fan you'll come to realize that this Box Set has almost every single George Strait song available. The only exception is "You can't make a heart love somebody" which left me disappointed because it was not added on this CD. New songs of George's have been added as well as songs that came around before George became big..kind of like songs he recorded before he was anyone. Lefty's Gone....leaves you chilled to the bone while an early song "her goodbye hit me in the heart" breaks your heart. "My baby's gotten good at goodbye" is probably where George gets his strongest. There isn't a song on this album that is not catchy or worth listening to. George knows how to pick em which has made him the master of country music with Alan Jackson a close second. Go get this CD. It's the greatest of the greatest.


Buy This, now!   January 21, 2000
Clint (Edinboro, Pa)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

What can you say? Just about every single he's every released (and some that weren't) on 4 discs. You can't beat it.

After listening to some songs, you'll want to get the original album, with all the other songs. And the amazing thing is in another 5 years he'll probably be able to put out another boxed set, with just as many good songs.

George Strait is truly a legend in his own time, and anyone who likes real country music should buy this set. It's truly a blessing someone out there makes so much good music.