Customer Reviews

Troublemaker (Reis)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have a lot of Willie albums, and there are many exceptional ones out there, but I was a bit reluctant to purchase yet another Willie oldie recently re-released on cd. But the track selection intrigued me so I picked this one up. Am I glad I did! This is Willie loose and having fun, playing old gospel rave-ups with passion and good humor. Doug Sahm and a host of greats (including Larry Gatlin) support Big Willie as he takes us through a list of his favorites tunes.

But I really reserve my praise for the title track, The Troublemaker, an intimate selection that could have come right from The IRS Tapes. Buy the cd for this alone. Here Willie sings a parable about an anti-war, long-haired rebel, who preached peace in the face of war, wore sandals as he wandered from town to town, and riled up the populace to distrust their leaders and clamor for peace. Then the government hung him on a cross. I can't think of a more meaningful song for the times we live in today.

Willie has recorded many concept albums in his time and this, first released in 1976 but recorded around 1973 or thereabouts, is one of the earliest. The music is kept simple, but it is interesting to note that the four backup singers include Sammi Smith and Larry Gatlin. Larry also plays guitar.

Several of the songs here are gospel standards, including Whispering hope, Will the circle be unbroken, In the garden, Sweet bye and bye and Precious memories.

Uncloudy day, an upbeat toe-tapping song, gets the set off to a great start. The title track is about Jesus, regarded as a troublemaker by some of his contemporaries.

This re-mastered edition also includes some bonus tracks, which were all recorded live.

If you know anything about Willie's music, you know what to expect. You will get exactly what you expect.

This is my favorite Willie Nelson album of all time. The album went to number 1 on the country charts in 1976 and went "Gold." The performances of Gospel classics are great, ranging from footstompin' to moving and peaceful. "Uncloudy Day" was a big hit and is included on several of his greatest hits compilations, but all the songs on here are very good. Highly recommended for any Willie Nelson fan or fan of Gospel.

I can't say anything other than excellent. The spirituals are so well done, in the Willie Nelson style. Just plain great gospel music, clearly played, from what I understand the harmonica was overlayed onto the original sound track. With or without the Nelson-harmonica the music is just fabulous. Very relaxing and invigorating at the same time. I am sure everyone finds them selves singing to the music in the car or while doing chores at home.

i first bought this on an 8 track tape in the early 80's i loved it so much i wore it out. i couldn't seem to find it anywhere untill i looked on amazon. i was thrilled to find it there and boughtit. just as great today as it was back then

Still as moving today as it was when it was released more than 30 years ago, Willie sings and plays in an earnest and heartfelt way throughout the album. I heard hints of the guitar playing here that would later emerge on the Red Headed Stranger, and that makes this even more exciting. You get the chance to hear what Willie was thinking and playing about just prior to the RHS. Highly recommended.

I'm bought the Troublemaker on vinyl (or maybe it was cassette, I can't remember) way back in the day. I enjoyed it, and then kind of forgot about it. Until a couple of years ago, when I found this remastered CD with extra tracks.

This is vintage Willie Nelson, and that's a good thing. His sister Bobbie played piano. Doug Sahm, Larry Gatlin and others sang along.

My personal favorite track here is Uncloudy Day, but it's also fun to crank up those really rocking-out live tracks and share in the fun.

The Troublemaker stands the test of time, and it's good to see reviews from younger Willie fans who are also enjoying this piece of gold from the past.

As a new fan of Willie Nelson, I was surprised to come across this album and its great reviews on Amazon. I had no idea it even existed. Most of Willie's older material, and even his new recordings, tends to get buried under the avalanche of the more polished, commercial pop that passes for country these days.

On Troublemaker, Nelson performs the classic gospel tunes with energy and obvious enjoyment, which makes for a very fun listening experience. Also, the sound is very well done; it's much cleaner than I expected. If you like good old fashioned country and/or gospel, your money would be well spent on Troublemaker.

I bought this album mostly for nostalgia. I fondly remember listening to my father's 8-track of Troublemaker throughout the house on Sunday mornings. I had honestly forgotten how wonderful this "gospel" album is. Willie can make even the old standards sound amazing and refreshing! As if it is the first time you have heard even the most familiar of the gospel tunes. You can listen to these songs and, regardless of your religious beliefs, feel Willie's emotion and sincerity.

This is the only gospel album in my vast collection of music and I honestly believe that you cannot find a better collection of gospel songs anywhere.

Another very good WIllie Nelson. I enjoy hearing him sing the old hymns. The mix of songs is very good. If was so nice to listen to a CD with music that appeals to me, music that is fit for all ages to hear. TROUBLEMAKER delivers a mix of good old fashion hymns I grew up listening to on Sunday at the little Baptist Church I went to. I recommend it as a good addition to any music collection.