Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits

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Along with Kris Kristofferson, Shel Silversteen, and a small handful of others, Billy Joe Shaver influenced country songwriting forever. His honest, true-to-the-bone lyrics and rough and rowdy lifestyle (he was just recently involved in a shooting down in Texas) have made him the Poet Laureate for the down-trodden and ne'er-do-wells. GREATEST HITS compiles some of this legend's most provocative work, as only he could perform it.

Shaver's songs range from the patriotic enthusiasm of "Good Ol USA," to the whistfulness of "Melody," to the raucous delight of "Honk Tonk Heroes," to the beautifully poignant of "When Fallen Angels Fly." On the rowdy "Georgia on a Fast Train," he proudly sings of his eighth grade education; he may be sending the wrong message to the youth of today, but let's face it, we don't give a good god-darn. He's an old chunk of coal, who will one day be a diamond; he praises the hottest girl in town, who used to hang around with Heaven 'til she learned too much; he's tempted by a rose of a different name; he's an old five and dimer and still dang-proud of it. But, truthfully, we can sum up Billy Joe Shaver with one simple paraphrase of one of his most elegant songs: like the greatest that humanity has to offer, Billy Joe Shaver is gonna live forever.

I have bought every album Billy Joe has made. He is my all time favorite singer/songwriter. Its too bad he is not better known. Everybody that I have played his music to ends up loving him and his songs. Treat yourself.

He was listening to "Billy Joe Shaver, Reading James Joyce". Bob Dylan that is and that is why I bought this for my boyfriend. He has not gotten the gift yet but I KNOW he'll love it. prompt delivery.

This is a good compilation of Shaver's best work. This was the first album I listened to of his and I was immediately hooked. My favorite song on the album is Georgia On A Fast Train, but there isn't a bad song on the whole thing. I also recommend reading his (very interesting) biography. It especially makes some of his songs more meaningful to know the context they were written under.

Even if you aren't a big fan of Billy Joe's this album has something for everyone. His sense of style coupled with his ability to get his point across to you makes him a true master of country hits that have furthered many a country singer's career.
He continues to amaze you!

I really am enjoying Billy Joe's Greatest Hits CD. His lyrics are so original and have stood the test of time. As a performer, he doesn't fit the cookie cutter mold and that is refreshing...

Billy Joe. What else can be said that hasn't already said about this jewel. He's the very best and a pleasure to hear and see. Not many like him these days.

Billy Joe Shaver is a dinosaur, one of the last of his kind. He is a rare commodity in these days of homogenized, sterile, formula music that passes for country. He's a true character who after all the years on the road, all the tragedy and heartbreak in his life, still enjoys performing live. He's the poet laureate of true Texas style outlaw music. Nobody writes songs full of life and truth the way he does. I won't go into all of his accomplishments, all the songs other people have recorded. You probably know that or you wouldn't even be reading about him now. I just want to say, that in my humble opinion, he one of America's greatest song writers. See him live sometime and you won't regret it. There's nobody left still on the road, with the exception maybe of Willie, who is a legend that can still bring it. Buy this album for a taste of what he's all about. God Bless Billie Joe Shaver.