Billboard journal’s October 1985 information report on the nineteenth annual CMA Awards described the occasion as “at times a triumph of traditionalism, at others a changing of the guard.” With George Strait named Male Vocalist Of The 12 months there for the primary time, whereas using the discharge of his eighth album, One thing Particular, it was somewhat of each.
The Texan entertainer already had 4 years of unbroken success on the clock along with his easy and seemingly easy model, which reached again into nation’s hallowed previous. However he was however within the vanguard of latest names that have been becoming a member of the Nation Music Affiliation’s winners’ circle in 1985, together with such contemporaries as Hank Williams, Jr. and Randy Travis.
Strait additionally gained that yr’s Album Of The 12 months award for his 1984 launch, Does Fort Price Ever Cross Your Thoughts. Launched virtually 11 months later to the day, on August 29, 1985, One thing Particular continued Strait’s run of successes to turn out to be his third nation chart-topper in a row.
Unhurried class
Recorded at Sound Stage Studios, in Nashville, One thing Particular was produced as normal by Strait and his trusted confidant, former recording star and Nashville staple Jimmy Bowen. One other CMA connection, audible from the primary notes of the album’s opening track, “You’re Something Special To Me,” was by way of George’s common contributor, fiddle participant extraordinaire and western swing figurehead Johnny Gimble. At these very awards the place Strait was a double winner, Gimble took residence one in all his 5 Instrumentalist Of The 12 months trophies, from no fewer than 15 nominations.
The centrepiece on One thing Particular, and the track that stands tallest in Strait’s catalog of signature moments, was the excellent “The Chair.” Written by veteran nation star Hank Cochran (by then successful author, after his personal years of recording success) and frequent 80s nation chart customer Dean Dillon, the track described an irresistibly romantic situation. In December 1985, it turned George’s seventh nation No.1, the week after the album had itself hit the highest spot.
One thing Particular exuded Strait’s customary air of unhurried class, aided no finish by the presence of such A-list musicians as Paul Franklin on pedal metal, Dean Parks on acoustic guitar, and Reggie Younger, of the revered Memphis Boys, on electrical guitar. David Hungate, late of AOR favourites Toto, added bass. Additionally on acoustic guitar was the widely-travelled Richard Bennett, who had a protracted touring relationship with Neil Diamond and later began a prolonged tenure with Mark Knopfler.
Entertainer Of The 12 months – once more
One thing Particular’s opening, near-title observe turned the album’s second and last hit single, reaching No.4. Different highlights included “Blue Is Not A Word,” co-written by Judy Ball and country-Cajun ace Jo-El Sonnier, and “You Sure Got This Ol’ Redneck Feelin’ Blue,” penned by Dillon and Buzz Rabin. There was additionally room for some western swing on Peter Rowan’s “Dance Time In Texas,” with Gimble fiddling up a storm, Franklin on agile pedal metal and the Texan two-step in full, energetic impact.
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The album additionally featured a touching tribute to one in all Strait’s forerunners among the many greats of Texan nation, Lefty Frizzell. “Lefty’s Gone” was composed by the prolific author Sanger “Whitey” Shafer. He had himself written for the 50s chart-topper, who handed away in 1975. Shafer wrote from the center with the phrases: “It’s not right, but Lefty’s gone.”
One thing Particular went on to a 68-week run on Billboard’s nation album chart, turning gold in February 1986 and platinum a decade later. It was additionally an enormous contributing issue when Strait returned to the CMA Awards in 1986 – and gained Entertainer Of The 12 months once more.
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