Victory

Billy Joe Shaver | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 14, 1998)
• Original Release Date: July 14, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New West Records
• ASIN: B000007T4S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,194 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #6 in Music > Indie Music > Country > Traditional Country
  • #50 in Music > Indie Music > Country > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 1998

Unfortunately, the roots of this record stem from a terminal illness in the Shaver family. Yet, as has been proved often, some of the most rewarding music grows out of misery and misfortune. The pared-down gospel originals offered by Billy Joe and son Eddy perhaps hit a little too close to home. Stark and desolate yet illuminating, Victory vividly illustrates the difference between spirituality and religiousness and the conflict between the worldly and the ethereal. --Marc Greilsamer

Amazon.com

Those who discovered (or rediscovered) the power of Billy Joe Shaver via 1993's eye-opening Tramp on Your Street will have to readjust their expectations with Victory. While Tramp (like Victory, credited simply to Shaver to reflect the vital contributions of Billy Joe's son and lead guitarist, Eddy) was a raucous affair, this outing is gentle and reflective. Recorded over six days with just father and son playing acoustic instruments, Victory is as sound and austere as a church pew. Billy Joe is in a plaintive mood here, meditating on the tribulations of this ephemeral earth throughout a dozen country-gospel originals. From the a cappella opener, "Son of Calvary" ("When my day on earth has ended / And the race is over run / I will melt into the likeness / Of my own beloved ones") through the laid-bare closer, "The Bow and the Arrow," this Victory is hard won--and justified. --Steven Stolder

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great place to start with., November 14, 2005

By 

Sheila Bloom "Norma" (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Victory (Audio CD)

This was my first Shaver cd and made me a devoted fan. The Cowboy Who Started a Fight always brings tears to my eyes but it's I'm Gonna Live Forever that breaks my heart. I played it many times during the dark days after 9/11 after a friend died in the WTC attacks. That and Barber's Adagio for Strings were the only pieces of music I could listen to in my grief.

A great, great album but then it was my first and one always loves the first one.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BILLY JOE SHAVER: AUTHENTIC COUNTRY--FROM TEXAS!, January 19, 2008

By 

Sandy Nathan "Sandy" (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Victory (Audio CD)

Billy Joe Shaver is a Texas roughneck's son, considered one of the most authentic country western singers around. In this intensely spiritual CD, Billy Joe sings of his conversion, sings of his love of Jesus. The album rings with his love of God. He is raw, present and very beautiful. He talks about recovery from alcoholism and hard living. Great guitar picking. Great music.