J.J. Cale Troubadour

180 Gram Vinyl Remastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound & Pressed by Gary Salstrom at Quality Record Pressings!
The real "Slowhand" serves up a subtle masterwork.
J.J. Cale, much like Nick Drake and Alex Chilton, is an artist whose genius and influence far outweigh his popularity. And now through this exceptional Analogue Productions reissue, pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, you're going to hear Cale on his signature hits like "Cocaine" sound more vibrant and real than you've ever heard before!
With his laid-back rootsy style, Cale is best known for writing "After Midnight" and "Cocaine," songs that Eric Clapton later made into hits. But Cale's influence wasn't only through songwriting - All Music Guide notes that his distinctly loping sense of rhythm and shuffling boogie became the blueprint for the adult-oriented roots rock of Clapton and Mark Knopfler, among others. Cale's refusal to vary the sound of his music over the course of his career caused some critics to label him as a one-trick pony, but he managed to build a dedicated cult following with his sporadically released recordings.
Troubadour, released in 1976, is notable for introducing "Cocaine," which Clapton covered on his Slowhand album a year later. Producer Audie Ashworth introduced some different instruments, notably vibes and what sound like horns (although none are credited), for a slightly altered sound. As one reviewer says, Cale's druggy brand of rhythmic, spooky storytelling falls far outside of easy characterization.
Cale's signature laid back, bluesy style of country rock features rambling snapshots of love and life on the road that are unconventionally addicting. Reviewer James Burke says all of the songs on Troubadour are outstanding. The 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 the road - half intrigue, half warning. Troubadour is a timeless recording of the highest caliber.
Producer Audie Ashworth introduced some different instruments, notably vibes and what sound like horns (although none are credited), for a slightly altered sound on Troubadour. But J.J. Cale's albums are so steeped in his introspective style that they become interchangeable. If you like one of them, chances are you'll want to have them all. This one is notable for introducing "Cocaine," which Eric Clapton covered on his Slowhand album a year later. - William Ruhlmann, AllMusic.com, Rated 4.5/5 Stars

Features:

• 180 Gram Vinyl
• Lacquers plated by Gary Salstrom and Pressed at Quality Record Pressings
• Remastered and cut at 33 1/3 rpm by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound
• Gatefold Jacket

Musicians:

• J. J. Cale, vocals, guitar, piano
• Charles Dungey, bass guitar
• Tommy Cogbill, bass guitar
• Joe Osborn, bass guitar
• Bill Raffensperger, bass guitar
• Karl Himmel, drums
• Kenny Buttrey, drums
• Buddy Harman, drums
• Jimmy Karstein, drums
• Kenny Malone, drums
• Gordon Payne, guitar
• Chuck Browning, guitar
• Reggie Young, rhythm guitar
• Harold Bradley, rhythm guitar
• Bill Boatman, rhythm guitar
• Doug Bartenfeld, guitar
• Lloyd Green, steel guitar
• Buddy Emmons, steel guitar
• Farrell Morris, percussion
• Audie Ashworth, percussion
• J.I. Allison, percussion
• Don Tweedy, ARP
• Bobby Woods, piano
• Bill Purcell, piano
• George Tidwell, trumpet
• Dennis Goode, trombone
• Billy Puett, saxophone

Selections:

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