Willie Nelson - The Troublemaker (1976) 24-Bit/96-kHz Vinyl Rip

Released in late 1976, at the height of Willie mania, The Troublemaker is Willie Nelson's first all-gospel 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 free-spirited as this. Although the album can be divided pretty evenly between ballads and rollicking up-tempo numbers, there is the inherent jazz-like 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 is one of the quiet highlights in Willie's vast catalog.
(Stephen Thomas Erlewine - AllMusic Guide)

Track Listing:

A1. Uncloudy Day
A2. When the Roll Is Called up Yonder
A3. Whispering Hope
A4. There Is a Fountain
A5. Will the Circle Be Unbroken
A6. The Troublemaker
B1. In the Garden
B2. Where the Soul Never Dies
B3. Sweet Bye and Bye
B4. Shall We Gather
B5. Precious Memories