Billy Joe Shaver gets spiritual with help of John Carter Cash
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 – Texas singer/songwriter Billy Joe Shaver will go the spiritual root when his next album is released this summer. "Everybody's Brother" will be out Aug. 7 on Compadré Records, a division of Mathew Knowles' Music World Entertainment. John Carter Cash, son of Johnny, produced the dsc, which features guest appearances by the late Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, John Anderson, Tanya Tucker and Marty Stuart.
"Billy Joe Shaver is the last of his breed," said Cash. "Since I was a young child, I have known him, and now having the chance to work with him in the studio as a producer, I have learned his heart. Billy Joe is the kind of man who will go the extra mile for a friend...Give his coat when asked for his shirt. I love Billy Joe and will always treasure the memories of working with him."
The songs on "Everybody's Brother" deal with love, loss, mortality and the hereafter. "Get Thee Behind Me Satan" opens the album with John Anderson trading off on lead vocals. He also adds his harmonies to the chorus on the bluesy rocker. Anderson recently joined Shaver at a Civil War-era church in Shelbyville, Tenn. to shoot a video for the track.
The album's final track is a late 1970s duet with Johnny Cash on "You Just Can't Beat Jesus Christ." It was produced by Cowboy Jack Clement and features a 15-year-old Eddy Shaver, Billy Joe's son, playing guitar.
Native American singer/songwriter Bill Miller adds pow-wow drums, Native American cedar flute and Native vocals to the title track for a soundscape that pays tribute to America's oldest music. "It was my idea to mix cowboy and Indian music," Shaver said. "I'm Blackfoot on my father's side, and Bill's a full-blood Mohican. He did a wonderful job."
Shaver has written for Cash as well as Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, The Allman Brothers and Bobby Bare. During the past few years, his mother, wife and son Eddy all died within a year's time. Then he suffered a massive heart attack, but he recovered and was soon back on the road, his characteristic optimism intact. "I've always been lucky and I'm lucky to still be here. God gave me this gift (of songwriting), and I'll keep polishing it as long as I can," he said.
Shaver will tour throughout the U.S. to support Everybody's Brother. Some of his upcoming tour appearances include the Austin City Limits Festival, Farm Aid, New York City's Joe's Pub and the Minnesota State Fair.
A special version of the album will be distributed through Universal/EMI Christian in early October.
Songs on the disc are:
Get Thee Behind Me Satan (with John Anderson)
Rolling Stone
When I Get My Wings
If You Don't Love Jesus
Most Precious
Winning Again (with Marty Stuart)
No Earthly Good (with Kris Kristofferson)
To Be Loved By A Woman
The Tough Get Going
The Greatest Man Alive
Played The Game Too Long (with Tanya Tucker)
You'll Always Be My Best Friend
Jesus Is The Only One That Loves Us (with John Anderson)
Everybody's Brother (with Bill Miller)
You Just Can't Beat Jesus Christ (with Johnny Cash)
Music World Entertainment also manages Beyoncé.
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CD reviews for Billy Joe Shaver
Everybody's Brother
There's often a fine line between sin and salvation and, like most outlaws, Billy Joe Shaver has one foot in the honky tonk and one in the church pew. Shaver has long expressed the desire to record a "gospel" album and it's fitting...the same weathered voice that speaks convincingly of barrooms and broken hearts is also perfectly suited for singing the praises of Jesus. And it's not like religion is a little-traveled path for Shaver; he has typically included a spiritual »»» |
Greatest Hits
Many of country music's greatest talents have considered Billy Joe Shaver their favorite tunesmith, and his songs have been recorded by everybody from Bobby Bare and Kris Kristofferson to Elvis Presley. Chances are that you're probably familiar with Shaver's songs even if you have no idea the man himself. Suffice it to say that what makes Shaver a great songwriter is that, for good or for bad, he puts a large part of himself into each of his autobiographical songs. »»» |
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After a scary on-stage collapse at Texas's historic Gruene Hall in 2001 from a heart attack, Billy Joe Shaver has come roaring back as strong as ever in the past few years. His latest opens with "Live Forever," reprised from his fantastic 1993 recording, "Tramp on Your Street." This time, though, Big & Rich help out on background vocals. The guest appearances continue with Nanci Griffith lending her sweet voice to the pretty "Valentine" and Kimmie Rhodes helping out on "West Texas Waltz. »»» |
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