Chill of an Early Fall
This 1991 recording is notable for the rare appearance of George Strait's excellent road band, Ace in the Hole, on three tracks. Strait and the band romp through "Home in San Antone" and updateHank WilliamsupdatingEmmett Milleron the yodeling "Lovesick Blues." Best of all is Strait's version of "Milk Cow Blues," a Delta blues tune that became a favorite of Texas swing musicians in the 1930s. Strait has never sung with more style and soul on record. The rest of the album balances catchy contemporary country (the hit "You Know Me Better Than That") with more traditional fare (Harlan Howard's instant classic "Her Only Bad Habit Is Me").--Rick Mitchell