Well, if the highest compliment you can say of a jazz soloist is that “he told a story,” then honky tonking singer songwriter Billy Joe Shaver is up there with Lester Young. Performing and answering questions in regards to his career, writing for Waylon Jennings and his most recent album, Shaver spun yarns about growing up in rural Texas, 3 marriages to the same woman, and how he’s buried his wife, son and dogs, and misses the dog the most.
In contrast to most “artists” these days, Shaver came across as his own man, writing his songs because “it’s better than going to a psychiatrist” and selling them because was hungry and he had nothing else to do for a living. Still using Texas phrases like “Use ‘ta could,” he explained how he can’t sleep at night because he’s” always dreaming he’s awake,” and when the interviewer commented how his latest album is diverse, Shaver answered, “I guess so, What’s ‘diverse’ mean?”
Then, with producer Gary Nicholson supporting on guitar, Shaver and his leather beaten voice told confessional takes like “Where the Fallen Angels Fly” as well as some homages to foot stomping buddies on “Honky Tonk Heroes.” A real man with real stories, Shaver shared the theme he told his wife on “I’ll Love You As Much As I Can” before closing with a homily of “I’m Gonna Live Forever” mixing home spun charm with back porch comfort. In an era of posers, it’s refreshing to see and hear a real man with a truly lived life tell honest stories of things besides beer, trucks and tight jeans.