For the Last Time: Live From the Astrodome

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It's nothing short of amazing that it's taken George Strait 22 years, 29 albums, countless awards, and a few dozen No. 1 singles to record a live album. This concert, recorded at Houston's legendary Astrodome in 2002, finally fills that void. A straightforward set of hits from across two decades, For the Last Time covers the ones one might expect: early-1980s hits like "The Fireman" and "Amarillo by Morning" through 21st-century cuts such as "Run" (a bit less ponderous here than the studio version) and "She'll Leave You with a Smile." Though he's occasionally downplayed "Murder on Music Row," his controversial, radio-unfriendly duet with Alan Jackson protesting Nashville's paving over country traditions, he sings it here with no apologies. His presence is so consistent throughout that it might have been nice to include a few more deviations from the hits, like the sparkling version of Bob Wills's "Take Me Back to Tulsa" that showcases members of his outstanding Ace in the Hole band. The quality of his studio work notwithstanding, the stage remains Strait's true milieu. --Rich Kienzle