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'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.