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Recorded in Nashville, TN, September 2002
Produced by R.S. Field
1. Hold On To Yours (And I’ll Hold On To Mine)
2. Freedom’s Child
3. That’s Why The Man In Black Sings The Blues
4. Honey Chile
5. Good Ol’ U.S.A.
6. Day By Day
7. Corsicana Daily Sun
8. That’s What She Said Last Night
9. Drinkin’ Back
10. We
11. Wild Cow Gravy
12. Déja Blues (w/ Todd Snider)
13. Magnolia Mother’s Love
Bonus track: Merry Christmas to You
Legend has it that Robert Johnson went down to the crossroads and fell to
his knees, where he sold his soul to the devil in order to master the
blues. "Freedom's Child" is the testament of a man who went to
his own crossroads, but stood there straight and tall. He freely
gave his soul to something stronger than himself or his burdens, and then
turned around and shared that peace with the world.
This Billy Joe Shaver disc is a landmark in many ways. It is his
first release after receiving the inaugural Songwriter Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association, and is his first
product with a new record label. This one reunites him with veteran
producer R. S. Field, who helped give us the masterful "Tramp on Your
Street", an artist who understands how Shaver works and should sound.
And it is his first recording without the physical presence of Eddy Shaver
since 1977's "Gypsy Boy".
After almost thirty years of recording and several more of writing, Billy
Joe Shaver remains creative and awe-inspiring. "Freedom's Child"
is a loving mix of heartbreak, humor, and pure joy. Fields and the
folks at Compadre Records have probably done the most important thing of
all in recording Shaver. It looks like they stayed the hell out of
the way and took what he had to give, acknowledging that he knows his
music and his muses better than anyone else. The result is a record
that sounds warm, loving, and real.
The choice of material remains fairly typical for anyone who has followed
Billy Joe's recording career. A remake of a Shaver standard ("Good
Ol USA"), first time recordings of older compositions ("Freedom's Child",
"Honey Chile", "Corsicana Daily Sun") and a batch of great new tunes.
I have been listening to a pre-release disc, so I don't have the exact
backing information, but the musicians are incredible. I understand
the roster includes Billy Ray Reynolds, Jamie Hartford, and Will
Kimbrough. Billy Joe is also joined by young rascal Todd Snider, a
friend who co-wrote "Deja Blues".
The record begins with a soothing love song, "Hold on to Yours (and I'll
Hold on to Mine)". Shaver's voice is silky and rough at the same
time. He seems to be saying that lovers must accept their own
separateness in order to build a strong union. The title cut
follows, and is a rhythmic salute to survival and pride, likely to be
interpreted in the light of 9/11, even though the song predates that by
many years. Pride in America boogies on in "Good Ol USA". But
this is not the survival and pride of some cocky Ford truck pitchman
selling macho patriotism for a buck. It is the honest soulful pride
of a strong man who knows where the real stuff lies.
Care and social concern come out on the Cash-tinged "That's Why the Man in
Black Sings the Blues", typical honky-tonk remorse is given a poetic twist
in "Drinkin' Back". Memories and longing for the innocence of youth are
found in "Corsicana Daily Sun", "Wild Cow Gravy", and "Magnolia Mother's
Love". And pure fun and rock 'n roll come out on "That's What She
Said Last Night" and "Deja Blues". Shaver may be 63, but he can
still belt 'em out with the best.
In the middle of the disc, you'll find one of the most heart-touching
pieces of poetry in the country or folk music catalog. "Day by Day"
is a third-person story simply played and sung. It is a four-minute
history of a man and his family bonded and saved by faith and love.
More amazing, it is a true story, and is probably the finest biography of
Shaver I've ever read or heard.
Do I like this one??? Well, like my Uncle Dube in Arkansas says, "If
this don't light your fire, your wood's too wet!"
By the way, I lied earlier. Eddy Shaver is on this recording.
Keep it running after the bonus Christmas cut, and you'll hear seven
minutes of a forever young guitar slinger singing "Necessary Evil".
It is a simple recording, written by Billy and Eddy, with just Eddy and
his Strat sitting in a Waco garage. 'Nuff said.
May the God of your choosing continue to bless Billy Joe Shaver.
Written by James Odom, October, 2002
E-mail
Waco
Odie
Read Odie's bio
Visit
Billy Joe Shaver's website
Editor's Note: I have two of Todd Snider's albums. I
have his two most recent CDs and they make a wonderful addition to my
collection. I would like to get a review on the site of Todd's new
CD.
I think Todd's writing and music are exceptional, and he and Billy Joe must
make a helluva team. I can't wait to hear BJ's new album and the
song they wrote together. Miss Lana |
