Troubadour - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
Well into his third decade at the top, album # 37 for George Strait maintains the consistency and high quality that's marked the vast majority of his work from the start. Like Alan Jackson, he's has always been more comfortable in conventional country fiddle and steel guitar settings, and that's largely where he remains with Troubadour. Even the good-natured, Caribbean feel of "River of Love" is closer to vintage Strait than Jimmy Buffett. The more somber "House of Cash" is a duet with Patty Loveless. It tells the story of the tragic, 2007 fire that took the home of Johnny Cash, and reflects on what could not be obliterated by the flames. Strait reverts to classic, Lone Star State form with "Make Her Fall With Me Song," a honky tonk shuffle in the style of Ray Price or George Jones, while the gorgeous western swing-driven "That West Texas Town" is a duet with Dean Dillon. With Troubadour Strait avoids surprises, if only by virtue of his continuing skill working wonders within a time-honored style. --Rich Kienzle

Album Description
The follow-up CD to George Strait's platinum selling and CMA Album of the Year, IT JUST COMES NATURAL, is TROUBADOUR. George Strait truly is a modern day troubadour - now in his 28th year of making music,George continues to be an artist driven by his passion to make music of the highest quality.

TROUBADOUR features the smash single "I Saw God Today".

Album Description
Features duets with Patty Loveless, Dean Dillon. Reviews and ads in Up Country, Country Music People and Maverick.

Customer Reviews: Read 55 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

If you love your music Strait and to the point...this one delivers... April 2, 2008
23 out of 28 found this review helpful

I give this CD 5 stars because it is a wonderful CD. The previous CD of all-new songs, IT JUST COMES NATURAL, was hailed by lots of people as his greatest CD yet. I think this one ranks right up there with 1980's George Strait. Yes...you saw that right! 1980's George Strait...but by no means does that mean the songs are dated, it's just that there are plenty of songs that make any Strait fan remember that era in his career. Specifically the western-swing sing-a-long "West Texas Town". There are several songs on here that re-introduce the sounds of 'classic' George Strait...the toe-tapping Western swing style he's gotten away from in recent years. The song that has western swing written all over it is a song called "West Texas Town", a duet with singer/songwriter Dean Dillon. This is significant because Dean helped build the George Strait legend via the songs he wrote that George has recorded through the years. This particular CD contains 4 songs co-written by Dean Dillon...which that, too, is significant because in recent years he'd gotten away from recording Dean Dillon songs. Good traditional country sounds are heard in the bouncy "Make Her Fall in Love With Me Song". I am hoping "When You're in Love" becomes a single. When i heard the song start up on my CD it sounds like a country radio hit. The first single is "I Saw God Today" which is #4 on the country chart this week and it's track #6 on the CD. Track #12 just ended. The track #12 song is called "If Heartaches Were Horses". "It Was Me" is a mid-tempo, bouncy song. There is a second duet on this CD...i already mentioned the Dean Dillon duet called "West Texas Town"...this second duet from the CD is an almost spiritual-like ballad called "House of Cash" with Patty Loveless. The song is about the house of Cash...Johnny Cash, that is, and the belief that many feel was the reason it burned to the ground after Johnny's death. In case there are those who do not know, after June Carter Cash passed away, Johnny died within months...then, a couple months after his death, his legendary house on Hickory Lake in Tennessee burned to the ground after a deal had been made for it's sale to new owners. So, there are those who feel that was Johnny and June's way of saying "since we've both gone, so will our house.". So, "House of Cash" plays into that way of thinking. It's a great song...but i can't 'hear' it on the radio...it's too deep. "Give Me More Time" is a haunting song with a twist ending wrapped around the phrase "give me more time"...it's one of the four songs co-written by Dean Dillon. The CD kicks off with "Troubadour" which is a song tailor made for George in my opinion. A few songs go beyond what you'd think he would sing...for instance, "River of Love" and "Brothers of the Highway". In the case of "River of Love" it has that tropical flavor to it and a repetitious chorus. "Rollin, let's go rollin' on the River of Love; Rollin'...let's go rollin' on the River of Love...". While listening to the CD i was enjoying it and at the same time thinking which ones could make good singles on the radio after "I Saw God Today" runs it's course. "When You're in Love" gets my vote as a follow-up...then, "Make Her Fall in Love With Me Song" even though it has an unusual title. I would like to see his duet with Patty Loveless released as a single but it's hard to tell if it will. The duet with Dean Dillon would be great, too...plus it's uptempo...and it's great...and it makes one think of 1980's George Strait with the western-swing influence heard more. That is what i was making reference to earlier in this review...many of the songs will make one think of early George Strait and for those who are on the bandwagon wondering when George will get back to 'those' kinds of songs, this CD will be right up your alley.

5 out of 5 stars

'KING' GEORGE IN AN EXCITING, MASTERFUL COUNTRY SET April 1, 2008
22 out of 24 found this review helpful

Five BIG Stars!! Award-winning country music legend and Hall of Famer George Strait spins up another winner with the CD "Troubadour. One of the biggest selling music artists alive, regardless of music genre, George uses his calm, tightly-controlled, well-modulated and exciting voice to tell great stories from purely wonderful lyrics and great country rhythms. On the heels of his award-winning It Just Comes Natural, George has created very interesting new material for us fans to enjoy. On this 12 track CD, he surveys a big slice of Americana, serving up two duets along the way, giving us his viewpoint on today's life, love, and events using beautiful ballads, laid-back barroom blues, and honky-tonk swingers.

The 'Best of the Best' begin with the wonderful title track "Troubadour": a great song about a singer looking back and looking ahead, with Vince Gill harmonizing beautifully in the background. The first few words of "Troubadour" demonstrate the fact that master singers like Mr Strait make every nuanced note count: a singing seminar in one verse. "Brothers of the Highway" is a honky-tonk wonder that salutes big-rig truckers who play such a vital role in coast-to-coast transportation: the bridge is pure joy: 'sailin' for the settin' sun". (And it went straight to my iPod). "House of Cash" with Patti Loveless is a great tribute to the legendary Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, based on the fire that posthumously burned down their house. "Give Me More Time" is a great song about a spoken phrase that wraps around many current problems in America. "I Saw God Today" is a beautifully sung, heart-felt sentiment of finding God right here on earth in people, places, sights and one specific place. (Currently on the BillBoard top five, it also went straight to my iPod.) Dean Dillion's hard-swinging song "West Texas Town" is not about El Paso, but another nice place in the Lone Star State, with Dillion pushing this duet hard, fast, and swinging. BTW, Dillion collaborated on four songs of this songfest, adding further to his treasure chest of Strait songs. Into his third decade of great country music-making and record breaking sales, George Strait is the "Real Deal" and the undisputed "King". "Troubadour", his 35th recording, is flat-out great authentic and honest country music and it gets My Highest Recommendation. Five BIG Stars!!
(This review of based on an iTunes download with digital booklet containing all lyrics.)

5 out of 5 stars

The King of Country delivers, yet again! (track by track review) April 1, 2008
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

It's April Fool's Day, folks, but the undisputed King of Country releases and delivers the best country music available! *proud smile* No joke! ; o ~

The title track "Troubador" probably best reflects where George is at in this stage of his life, which more than likely, is why it kicks off the album, right? *smirk* "I was a young troubadour when I rode in on a song and I'll be an old troubadour when I'm gone."

"Now It Was Me" is one of those song that reminds Strait fans why we love this man so much!! (As if we have ever forgotten!) I've listened to this song a few times already and every time I hear it, I envision a couple falling in love as they spin around one of those old dusty Texas dancehall floors I dream about visiting. *wink*

In "Brothers Of The Highway", Strait tips his hat to an unappreciated group of folks . . . our hard workin' truck drivers. The song is very catchy and will no doubt have ya swaying in your seat. A real toe-tapper.

Seems like George has caught "beach fever" in his "River Of Love"! *wink* I don't mind at all . . . for a little over 3 minutes folks like me livin' in Yankeedom can imagine we have our toes in the sand! Great song, but I'm not sure if I liked the background vocals. Who knows, they may grow on me. ;o)

Now. Patty Loveless is one of country music's greatest female singer's EVER! That's just my opinion. ;o) So when I first read she was doing a duet on this album, I COULDN'T WAIT! "House of Cash" is a tribute to the late and great Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and their home on Hickory Hill Lake in TN that sadly burned down in April of 2007. (Wow .. . . if THOSE walls could have talked . . .:o/ ) Somber and slightly haunting.

Halfway through the CD is "I Saw God Today" which is Strait's current hit. This track will undoubtedly leave proud parents smiling, yours truly included. =)

"Give Me More Time" left a painful lump in my throat. So beautiful ... love the cry of the steel guitar on this one.

"When You're In Love" with it's beautiful melody is my second favorite track on the album. I just love everything about it and I feel good when I hear it! Coming in first is it's following track, "Make Her Fall In Love With Me Song". !!!Strait camp!!!, if you are reading this, this MUST MUST MUST be a single! Ya can't help but smile when you hear it. =))

George delivers a lil' bit of Texas Swing in "West Texas Town" with some help from Dean Dillion. I know Dean has written several songs for George over the years but cannot remember which ones off the top of my head. Dig George's "aawww" at the end. *melt*

"House With No Doors" is country ALL the way. A conversational song between Strait and a brokenhearted man.

When my eyes scanned over the title tracks, the final track, "If Heartaches Where Horses" caught my eye. I predicted to myself it would be a good song, and it is. *nod*

All in all, Strait fans will be left satisfied purchasing this album. I don't think it would be fair to compare it to any of his previous works, 'cause really ... It Just Comes Natural was George BRILLANT!!!!! But I purchased it with only knowing "I Saw God Today" and I am not disappointed.

Enjoy!!

4 out of 5 stars

Seeing god and feeling his presence September 16, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This recent cd by George Strait features a song that has touched so dear to my heart called I Saw God Today. I remember when my daughters were born and seeing a miracle 3 times over, my life has been blessed by the good lord above and I appreciate everything he does for me and I surely thank him everyday. Thank you George for singing this song and putting it out there for me to find happiness of how my life has been.

4 out of 5 stars

Worth Crowing About August 3, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful

George Strait has filled up country radio for years. A tad more worthy than `Carrying Your Love with Me,' `Troubadour' gives fans plenty of reasons to buy his latest offering. Again featuring several fine songwriters and musicians, George gives us a quality album that covers most corners of country music.

The title track is notable enough for it's autobiographical sketch provided by songwriter Marty Holmes. "I feel like Jesse James," he shares, and "I still feel twenty-five most of the time." Most of his songs chase after women at honky-tonk bars, too. "It Was Me" goes down easily enough, but on the playful "When You're in Love," George is the true troubadour with a terrific radio worthy song. "Make Her Fall in Love with Me Song" already seems like a honky-tonk jukebox classic, and "River of Love" showcases a C.D. accompaniment that's never been finer overall with an intricate (mandolin or ukulele) shining through. (It's a bit Jimmy Buffet influenced, so I go for the latter.)

Leaning heavier, George sings the sincere, but less worthy "House of Cash," a tribute that needs no explanation. "West Texas Town" is a throwback to "All My Exes Live in Texas," except, if anything, it's more fun and better executed. "Brothers of the Highway" is intricate, and arguably his best offering.

More than foolin' around, George gets serious with "I Saw God Today," a proper reflection with the words:

"His fingerprints are everywhere./ I just slow down to stop and stare.
Open my eyes and, man, I swear,/ I saw God today."

The rest of the songs aren't bad, nothing so bad to mar. If you want to wait to hear these songs on the radio, that's okay, but commercial free, George Strait is worth your extra greenbacks.

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