Customer Reviews

Troubadour

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An understated, rich, rewarding gem that no one's ever heard. Unfortunately, since few blues fans venture outside the tried-and-true territory of old black men rocking the house Chicago style or young guns with a Hendrix complex serving up monster Texas floods, Cale's druggy brand of rhythmic, spooky storytelling falls far outside of easy characterization.

It's too bad, because Cale's rambling snapshots of love and life on the road are unconventionally addicting. While at times it gets so loose it threatens to fall apart, Cale's sparse style is oddly satisfying -- never has less been more.

All of the songs on Troubadour are outstanding. The now warhorse "Cocaine" is far more intriguing in its original version, more menacing and worldworn than Clapton's driving take. The uncharacteristically energetic "Travelin' Light" is a whispered invitation to road, half intrigue, half warning. The album's highlight, "Cheri," Cale's tender, perhaps futile plea for love, is hauntingly gorgeous.

Cale, much like Nick Drake and Alex Chilton, is an artist whose genius and influence far outweighs his popularity. Sit back and sink in to this simply wonderful disc.

This 1975 recording is equal to anything Cale recorded in the seventies, a period when he was at his peak. The production is a natural fit to the tight and rootsy musicianship and compositions. Contemporary country blues (with an emphasis on blues) at it's best. As a guitarist, Cale was a primary influence on Clapton and early Dire Straits. Clapton was so impressed with Cale's writing abilities that he covered three brilliant compositions, Cocaine, After Midnight and the terrific I'll Make Love To You Anytime. Cale did 'em better. J.J. Cale's catalogue is the work of a great American musician. This one's highly recommended...Simon

I have to agree with an earlier review-this is a true desert island disc.my favorite jj album.sultry guitar and terrific songs.this is an underrated masterpiece."cherry" would make the price worth it."i'm a gypsy man""let me do it to you"not a wasted note on the whole thing.dont miss it!

J.J. Cale's Troubadour is a timeless recording of the highest caliber. As a music lover with an extensive portfolio of rock, blues, roots, soul, jazz, and classical, this is a CD that gets played regularly. Troubadour immediately connects with the listener and will prompt friends to inquire about the artist creating the cool, laid-back sound. This is one of those ten desert island discs to consider owning. Highly recommended.

Stuck on the tarmac for fives hours in Abu Dubai. Then JJ tells me, Travelin' light- it's the only way to go. How true. How true.

This is the second best album the man with the sexiest voice alive has done. If you are in the mood and with someone you love, just put this on and float away into the ethers together. Yeah baby. Good stuff

Troubadour would have been appealing even if it were an instrumental album, on account of the delicious instrumental textures. Hey Baby charms the listener with its intricate guitar whilst Travelin' Light is a rhythmic up-tempo excursion with hypnotic percussion. One of the longest tracks is You Got Something, a yearning love song with brilliant instrumental interplay.

The romantic Ride Me High is a masterpiece of expressive guitar and percussion, the brief track Hold On is a slow bluesy interlude and then follows the familiar hit Cocaine with its powerful rock guitar riffs. I'm A Gypsy Man has a nervous, jerky rhythmic pattern whilst The Woman That Got Away is an up-tempo blues track with impressive piano. The whining guitar on Super Blue is something to relish.

Let Me Do It To You is a catchy pop song with perky sax and a long instrumental outro, whilst the love song Cherry is equally charming. The album concludes with the slow blues number You Got Me On So Bad where the piano expertly creates the mood. I was surprised by Troubadour's versatility and the virtuosity of the playing. To my delight, Cale's music is not all sleep-inducing laid-back mellowness.

This is one of my favorite albums of all time. The pre-Clapton original Cocaine is great. This is a definite buy!

Recently purchased this while in Seattle. It's a gem! Takes me back to the early 70s... when I became convinced j.j. cale's musical creativity was among the very best! even today I will listen to tracks ('hold on'/'hey baby'/'you got something,'etc., over and over again for the pure enjoyment they provide! respectfully, mark knoeffler will never come close to capturing the american virtuousity of j.j. cale!give us more j.j.!

I USED TO HAVE THIS CD A WHILE BACK, BUT IT GOT LOST IN THE SHUFFLE SOMEWHERE. IT'S HARD TO FIND AT LOCAL STORES, SO THANKS TO AMAZON I CAN NOW LISTEN TO IT AGAIN. IT'S ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVORITES! THANKS AMAZON!