Live at Billy Bob's Texas

by Billy Joe Shaver

Overview

When it comes to the vast majority of recording artists, the answer to the question, "how many officially released live albums do I really need," carries a simple answer: zero to one. In Billy Joe Shaver's case, the question doesn't even apply. Really, just ask any fan. Though far from a household name, Shaver is revered internationally for a catalog of songs that has been covered by an astonishing array of other artists, from rockers to country artists to jazz musicians and soul singers, though none of the cover versions of his songs do justice to his own live performances. Each Shaver performance is different, for almost inexplicable reasons. Whether playing alone or with a band, the combination of hard-earned humility, world weariness, spirituality, genuine compassion, rebelliousness, honesty, and a refusal to despair no matter the tragedy, pours forth from when he takes the stage and begins to sing. Live at Billy Bob's Texas, is a CD/DVD package recorded and taped at the Forth Worth venue (the world's largest honky tonk) on September 17, 2011. It features virtually all of his classic songs and a pair of new ones. Backed by lead guitarist Jeremy Lynn Woodall, bassist Matt Davis, and drummer Jason McKenzie, Shaver takes fans through a solid, often chilling set of stellar performances that run the gamut of Texas country, hard rocking honky tonk, and folk. For a man in his early seventies, he is in excellent voice. Check the effortless slide through his range on "Honky Tonk Heroes," the disciplined plaintive restraint in "Old Five and Dimers Like Me," and the command of authority that gospel demands in "Live Forever." But nowhere is Shaver's voice more effective than in one of the new songs, the a cappella "Star in My Heart," that is so tender it actually hurts. The other new track here, "Wacko from Waco," is a humorous account of his then-recent legal troubles that features a Johnny Cash-esque vamp. The video looks excellent and is worth seeing more than once, simply for the kind of awe and devotion the man inspires in his audience, as much as for the riveting performance. Billy Joe Shaver is one of a kind, and this set proves it; it makes an excellent introduction for anyone not familiar with his singular talent. ~ Thom Jurek

Product Details

Release Date:	08/05/2014
Label:	Smith Music Group
UPC:	0662582507423

Tracks

1. Heart of Texas
2. Georgia on a Fast Train
3. Honky Tonk Heroes
4. That's What She Said Last Night
5. Black Rose
6. Wacko From Waco
7. Old Chunk of Coal
8. Star in My Heart
9. Live Forever
10. Hottest Thing in Town
11. Thunderbird
12. Good Old USA
13. Ride Me Down Easy
14. Love is So Sweet
15. I Couldn't Be Me Without You
16. The Git Go
17. Old Five and Dimers
18. You Asked Me To
19. Try and Try Again
20. You Can't Beat Jesus Christ
21. Wacko from Waco
22. The Git Go

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Billy Joe Shaver   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Jason McKenzie   Drums
John H. Reynolds   Director
Jeremy Lynn Woodall   Guitar,Vocals
Matt Davis   Bass
Robert Gallagher   Director

Technical Credits

Bob Wright   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Gary Nicholson   Composer
Eddy Shaver   Composer
Waylon Jennings   Composer
Rick Smith   Series Originator
Derek Cooper   Stage Crew
Willie Nelson   Composer
Joe Newberry   Stage Crew
Martin "Dirt" Stinnett   Assistant Engineer
Clay Wolfer   Technician
Betsy Baird   Graphic Design
James Buchanan   Assistant,Recording Technician
Ricky Smith Jr.   Executive Producer
Phil Barnett   Mastering
Carl Baldwin   Operation
Matt Tompkins   Monitor Engineer
V.R. "Bear" Crossnoe   Production Manager
Billy Minick   Executive Producer
Rhonda Kennedy   Lighting Director
Pam Minick   Liner Notes
John H. Reynolds   Design,Editing,Producer,Camera Operator
Logan Bosemer   Booking
Chad E. Miller   Camera Operator
Wade Reaves   Camera Operator
Martin Stinnett   Assistant
Charlie Pedigo   Assistant
Tara Allen   Assistant
Don McRay   Operation
Forrest Dean   Operation
James Salaz   Stage Crew
Roman Flute   Graphic Design
Michael Penn Smith   Operation
Nathan Henslee   Stage Crew
Robert Tigdon   Production Assistant
Truman McIntyre   Lighting Design
Billy Joe Shaver   Composer