George Strait - If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin')

George Strait revived the classic Faron Young anthem "If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin')" for his eighth album, 1988's If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin'). By this time, it was no great surprise to have Strait draw directly from classic country and while there are no great left turns here, it does pack one surprise: the album isn't quite as rip-roaring as its hell-raising title would suggest. Instead of being packed with barroom ravers, this is a pretty laid-back affair, which is part of its appeal. Again, a few of the singles are a bit glossier than the rest -- "Baby Blue," "Famous Last Words of a Fool," both chart toppers, both very good -- but the rest of the material has an appealingly lazy vibe, from the jazzy textures of "Don't Mind If I Do" and "Is It That Time Again," to the hazy, cheerfully resigned closer "Back to Bein' Me." Even the faster tunes here -- and there are really only two, the galloping 2-step "Let's Get Down to It" and the happy Bakersfield shuffle of "Bigger Man Than Me," both echoing classic Haggard moments -- aren't as energetic as companion pieces from earlier Strait albums, and while some may miss that, this slight change of pace makes it a neat little gem within a wonderfully consistent catalog. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Billy Joe Walker Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic) Billy Joe Walker, Jr. Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic) Bob Bullock Engineer, Overdubs Curtis Young Vocals (Background) David Hungate Bass, Guitar Eddie Bayers Drums Erv Woolsey Management Floyd Domino Piano George Strait Vocals, Guitar, Producer Glenn Meadows Mastering Jessie Noble Project Coordinator Jimmy Bowen Producer John Guess Mixing Johnny Gimble Fiddle Liana Young Vocals (Background) Marty Williams Assistant Engineer, Engineer Mickey Braithwaite Design Milan Bogdan Digital Editing Pat Flynn Guitar (Acoustic) Paul Franklin Guitar (Steel), Dobro Reggie Young Guitar (Electric) Rick Henson Photography Russ Martin Assistant Engineer, Engineer Simon Levy Art Direction Tim Kish Assistant Engineer, Overdubs Willie Pevear Overdubs