Restless Wind: The Legendary Billy Joe Shaver: 1973-1987

Amazon.com
In many respects, the true measure of an artist is his reputation among peers. Using this metric, Billy Joe Shaver remains one of country music's greatest assets. Culled from six records (three from the '70s and three from the '80s), this retrospective not only salutes the songwriter, but also sheds light on the gruff, effortless singer. Assisted along the way by friends including Dickey Betts, Willie Nelson, and son Eddy, Shaver sings with brutal honesty about love, faith, religion, rambling, fighting, and freedom. Despite the varied subjects, he never seems to contradict himself: He knows that all have a place in real life. More than "outlaw country," this is "outcast country." Eddy's guitar work, which accompanies all of the 1980s work, adds even more punch to his father's sound. By anyone's expectations, this would have been the definitive Shaver collection, but who'd have thought that Billy Joe and son would still be pumping out superb records throughout the 1990s? --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

Black Rose
Old Five And Dimers Like Me
Bottom Dollar
Lately I Been Leanin' T'ward The Blues
Texas Uphere Tennessee
Ride Me Down Easy
When I Get My Wings
A Restless Wind
You Asked Me To
Fit To Kill And Going Out In Style
Ragged Old Truck
I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal
Amtrak (Ain't Coming Back)
Low Down Freedom
I Been To Georgia On A Fast Train
Sweet Mama
It Was Fun While It Lasted
Good News Blues

Amazon.com

In many respects, the true measure of an artist is his reputation among peers. Using this metric, Billy Joe Shaver remains one of country music's greatest assets. Culled from six records (three from the '70s and three from the '80s), this retrospective not only salutes the songwriter, but also sheds light on the gruff, effortless singer. Assisted along the way by friends including Dickey Betts, Willie Nelson, and son Eddy, Shaver sings with brutal honesty about love, faith, religion, rambling, fighting, and freedom. Despite the varied subjects, he never seems to contradict himself: He knows that all have a place in real life. More than "outlaw country," this is "outcast country." Eddy's guitar work, which accompanies all of the 1980s work, adds even more punch to his father's sound. By anyone's expectations, this would have been the definitive Shaver collection, but who'd have thought that Billy Joe and son would still be pumping out superb records throughout the 1990s? --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

the real deal........2007-03-26

okay folks, round up all your toby keith, vince gill, and garth brooks cds, take 'em down to the goodwill and leave them there. then get yourself some real country genius. billy joe shaver is about as good a place as any to start your new, more rewarding life.

The best of his breed!.......1999-04-20

As much as I lover Willie and Johnny, they can't come close to Waylon, and even the God-like Waylon must bow a bit to Billy Joe. Look carefully at the songs from Waylon and crew that you like the most, and very likely they are penned by Shaver. This disc is simply the very best of this type. None even close.

Music Album:

Music Album