George Strait Is Magic, Says Delbert McClinton
Have you heard George Strait's new record, Twang? One of the most surprising tracks on there is called "Same Kind of Crazy," written by Delbert McClinton and Gary Nicholson. Very cool song, and a lot more sassy than what we have come to expect from Strait. During my interview with McClinton about his own outstanding new record, Acquired Taste, I congratulated him on having a cut on Twang, which had debuted at No. 1 earlier that week. "We all knew he'd go to No. 1. It's the law!" McClinton replied. "George Strait is magic and we all know that."
McClinton said that Strait brought the song to his sessions for Troubadour, after hearing it on one of McClinton's albums. However, producer Tony Brown talked Strait out of recording it. ("That's the way I heard it," McClinton says. "He didn't feel like he could do it.") This time, however, Strait was adamant -- and Brown later told McClinton that they captured the vocal in just one take.
"I think he did a hell of a job!" McClinton said. "I was very curious as to what it was going to sound like. George Strait is a great singer. I mean, he's got it all, but it was hard for me to imagine how he would do it. I was very pleased."
Asked about that writing session, McClinton says, "Gary and I get together and stare at each other over a couple of guitars and start shooting the breeze. We were talking about something and I said, ‘Yeah, I know. She's the same kind of crazy as me.' And Gary said, ‘Ooh, that's our title!' So we started slamming it together. It was one of those songs we wrote in less than an hour. It doesn't always happen like that, but it does happen."
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Debra says:
Best song on the record glad he finally recorded it!!!! Sometimes producers dont know best also Living for the night is a great song!! I didnt care so much for EL Rey though. George is the King for sure!!!!
rockerbillie says:
I absolutely LOVE this CD. George is lettin loose and havin fun with the songs. The King showing his ‘tude. And he looks great with his shirt not tucked in, a more casual George. ‘Living for the night’ is terrific. Listened to a radio interview and George says his son Bubba inspired him to write again. WTG Bubba & George! Solid work and great music.
Stone Ln says:
Patty Loveless recorded an identical version of the song for Dreamin’ My Dreams (2005).
Leeann says:
Patty’s version wasn’t identical, in my opinion.
Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube says:
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Donna says:
I love George but I like to hear About Toby Keith!!!!!!!!!!
rodney says:
toby who i didn’t know he still made music lol
peppersprout says:
As much as I love/respect most of the music of Delbert McClinton and George Strait, “Same Kind of Crazy” as sung by Patty Loveless is far superior, IMO … it seemed like a very natural selection for her to cut … King George’s version has a forced sound, almost harsh, as do several other tunes on “Twang” … on the other hand, his renderin’ of “El Rey” is outstandin’ and a delight to my Spanish lovin’ ears!
Redmaz says:
Pop acts like Strait covering Roots artists music is nothing new, but I can’t imagine anyone making it more boring than Strait. It took years for Little Richard to accept Pat Boone covering his tunes, but it made it a lot easier when the royalty checks started coming in. Another example is Lambert’s new CD. She covers a Fred Eaglesmith tune “Time To Get a Gun”, and a John Prine tune “That’s the Way The World Goes ‘Round”. Of course McClinton is going to praise Strait’s cover version of SKOC, that’s money in the bank for Delbert to continue to produce his own great CD’s. That’s where the “magic” is. Maybe the Pat Boone of Pop Country will cover some more Roots music “magic”.
Maureen McCole says:
Love “Twang”. King George does get better.
The Breath you take is a beautiful song and know that it will go to #1. Love all the songs on this CD. Hail to the King! You will win a lot of awards come the ACMs in May.
Globals says:
all good things