Willie Nelson - Troublemaker [Bonus Tracks] (CD)

All Music Guide

Recorded in 1973 and released in late 1976 at the height of Williemania, The Troublemaker is Willie Nelson's first allgospel album, but country gospel in his hands doesn't sound like traditional country gospel it's a Willie album, through and through, performed with the freewheeling Family as support. Consequently, it's every bit as wonderfully idiosyncratic as any of his other mid'70s work and, in some ways, even more so, because inspirational songs and religious material are usually not given arrangements as imaginative and freespirited as this. Although the album can be divided pretty evenly between ballads and rollicking uptempo numbers, there is the inherent jazzlike unpredictability in the performances of Nelson and his band that makes even familiar numbers like "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" sound spontaneous. Then again, the choice of material also helps, because that song is the most familiar here; while many of the other numbers are also country gospel standards, they're not ...recorded nearly as often as "Circle" and these song choices also give The Troublemaker a unique, fresh feel. Another interesting thing about the album is that the music, not the message, is at the forefront, which is why it doesn't sound separate from his other mid'70s peaks. Although it is overshadowed by them both, the sublime subtlety of the performances on The Troublemaker make it sound of a piece with The Red Headed Stranger and Stardust. It may not be nearly as popular as either, but musically, it's just as satisfying and one of the quiet highlights in Willie's vast catalog. [The Troublemaker was reissued in a remastered, expanded edition with four bonus tracks: live versions of "The Troublemaker," "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" and "Amazing Grace," which is the only song in the bonus tracks not featured on the album. All these bonus tracks were recorded in June 1974 at the Texas Opry House, and they're loose, lively and terrific, nice additions to an already great album.] - Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide Read more Less