Pop Music Reviews : George Strait Still Aims to Please

Why has George Strait remained at the top of country music for more than a dozen years, when so many others have come and gone?

In his 90-minute show at the Pond in Anaheim on Sunday, Strait answered that question with his good solid country music, astute song selection and, more than anything else, by the fact that he was there at all.

The date was a makeup of Strait’s April 29 concert at the Pond, which he canceled after nine songs because a cold was affecting his voice. How many performers would have simply croaked out a few more songs, grabbed the money and ran?

Strait, however, was determined to give his fans their money’s worth. Backed by his excellent eight-piece Ace in the Hole Band, Strait delivered on his promise with a 24-song set that combined his hits with the Western swing music that is the foundation of his traditional style.

Strait played many of his biggest hits, including “The Chair,” “Ocean Front Property” and “Amarillo by Morning,” but he kept the set from being too predictable by also including several of the non-hits from his two latest albums, “Pure Country” and “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and with solid tributes to his biggest influences, Merle Haggard and Bob Wills.