If You Ain't Lovin You Ain't Livin
While not one of his biggest sellers, this 1988 album is a fine representation of George Strait's new-traditionalist sound, which opened the door for the wave of "hat-acts" that took over country music in the early '90s. Tommy Collins's title track is a piece of vintage Bakersfield honky-tonk, while "Under These Conditions" and "Famous Last Words of a Fool" are barstool lamentations worthy ofGeorge Jones. Fiddler Johnny Gimble and pianist Floyd Domino lend an authentic Texas dance-hall kick to the Nashville rhythm section.--Rick Mitchell