Troubadour (George Strait album)

Last updated
Troubadour
GeorgeStraitTroubadour.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 1, 2008 (2008-04-01)
Recorded2007–2008
Studio Shrimpboat Sound (Key West, Florida); Keith Harter Music Studios (San Antonio, Texas); Back Stage Studio (Nashville, Tennessee).
Genre
Length36:09
Label MCA Nashville
Producer Tony Brown
George Strait
George Strait chronology
22 More Hits
(2007)
Troubadour
(2008)
Classic Christmas
(2008)
Singles from Troubadour
  1. "I Saw God Today"
    Released: February 4, 2008
  2. "Troubadour"
    Released: June 2, 2008
  3. "River of Love"
    Released: November 17, 2008

Troubadour is the twenty-fifth studio album by American country music singer George Strait. It was released on April 1, 2008 (see 2008 in country music) on MCA Nashville Records. The album comprises twelve tracks, including two duets. The lead-off single, "I Saw God Today", was the highest-debuting single of Strait's career, and his forty-third Number One on the Billboard country charts. The album has been certified platinum by the RIAA. [3] At the 51st Grammy Awards, Troubadour earned the Grammy Award for Best Country Album, the first Grammy win of Strait's career. The album was intended to include the song "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven", but after Strait decided not to include it on the album, it was later recorded by Kenny Chesney, and was released as the first single from his album Lucky Old Sun . "It Was Me" was originally recorded by Jamey Johnson on his 2006 album, The Dollar .

Contents

Singles

"I Saw God Today", the lead-off single, debuted at #19 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, giving Strait the highest chart debut of his career. This song went on to become his 43rd Billboard Number One, and his 56th on all trade charts, setting a new record for most Number One singles. The album's title track was released in June 2008 as its second single, and peaked at #7 on the country charts. Following it was "River of Love", which debuted at #45 in November 2008, and reached #1 in April 2009.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
411Mania(8.5/10) [4]
About.com Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [5]
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
The Austin Chronicle Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [7]
The Music BoxStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Paste (favorable) [9]
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Robert Christgau Rating-Christgau-dud.svg [11]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Slant Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Engine 145Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [14]

Rhapsody ranked the album #4 on its "Country's Best Albums of the Decade" list. [15] "With a career that includes an awe-inspiring 50-plus No. 1 hits, plenty of George Strait's releases could have a spot on this list, but Troubadour feels like the best fit. From the Caribbean lilt of "River of Love" to the reverential "I Saw God Today" to the honky-tonkin' trucking song "Brothers of the Highway" to the carefree Western swing of "West Texas Town", Strait runs the gamut of sounds and emotions, and aces them all. One of the few artists who can achieve commercial success without courting it, Strait remains true to the honky-tonk-inspired sound he started out with decades ago."

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Duet partner(s)Length
1."Troubadour" Leslie Satcher, Monty Holmes  2:56
2."It Was Me" Buddy Cannon, Randy Hardison 3:09
3."Brothers of the Highway" Doug Johnson, Kim Williams, Nicole Witt 2:42
4."River of Love" Billy Burnette, Dennis Morgan, Shawn Camp  3:15
5."House of Cash"Satcher, Holmes Patty Loveless 3:35
6."I Saw God Today" Rodney Clawson, Wade Kirby, Monty Criswell 3:22
7."Give Me More Time" Al Anderson, Dean Dillon, Scotty Emerick  3:30
8."When You're in Love"Dillon, Kerry Kurt Phillips 2:49
9."Make Her Fall in Love with Me Song"Satcher, Anderson 2:25
10."West Texas Town"Dillon, Robert Earl Keen Dean Dillon2:03
11."House with No Doors" Kate Coppola, Kacey Coppola, Jamey Johnson  3:44
12."If Heartaches Were Horses" Buddy Brock, Wil Nance, Dillon 2:42
Total length:36:12

Personnel

Production

Charts

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References

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