Track Listing

1. Hey Baby
2. Travelin' Light
3. You Got Something
4. Ride Me High
5. Hold On
6. Cocaine
7. I'm A Gypsy Man
8. The Woman That Got Away
9. Super Blue
10. Let Me Do It To You
11. Cherry
12. You Got Me On So Bad

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22397 in Music
• Released on: 1987-03-16
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds
• Running time: 36 minutes

CD Description
TROUBADOUR is J.J. Cale's fourth album, and was released in1976. It was on this album that the song "Cocaine" (later ahit for Eric Clapton) made its first appearance. Over the course of his first few albums, Cale clearly delineated who he was as a writer, singer, and guitarist. TROUBADOR continues that careful delineation.
The set's second number, "Travelin' Light", is a perfect introduction to J.J. Cale's craft. It's powered by a groove at once relentless and laid back. There are surprises throughout, including "Ride Me High", which is a deceptively complicated song that undulates as itrolls along. The album's one cover is "I'm a Gypsy Man" by Sonny Curtis. As always, the cover fits Cale like a pair of comfortable old sneakers.

Customer Reviews

the best JJ cale album!
this album is a beautiful combination of mellow beats and understated vocals. i think it is Cale at his very best. The first track 'hey baby' is a classy opener, a burst of sunshine to the sound of trumpets and it just gets better from there. yes 'cocaine' is on it but i dont think its a stand out track because the rest of the songs are classic (lost) love songs and whats better subject material love or drugs? (dont say both). if you want a JJ Cale album get this or 'Naturally'.

Unique Genius
Since listening to 'Five' 21 years ago as a young whippersnapper, I was entranced by the tone and beauty of his voice, the tightness of his compositions and the quality of the performers chosen to assist this great man in creating sublime and quasi-classical music of our age.

Troubadour is one of the Great JJ albums, in that it has all the hallmarks of a complete Cale opus, catchy ballads (You got something) bluesy rockers(Travellin' Light) and a blow your balls of classic (Cocaine).

Each of his great albums, of which there are probably ten in his career so far have this mix, all employing his ability to fuse the elements of American popular music forms, Jazz, Country, Blues, Rock'n'Roll, Bluegrass etc into a stand alone style that will enthrall the musical conossieurs among us.

Listen- sad, happy, aroused or indifferent this man will bring something to the party when you put on his music.

Surprisingly varied
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 there's the original of Cocaine with its powerful rock guitar riffs which became a great hit for Eric Clapton. 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. Another highlight is 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.