Billy Joe Shaver

Storyteller (Sugar Hill)

There have been other live recordings of Billy Joe Shaver, but none spotlight the magic of his compositions the way Storyteller does. Recorded January 1992 at Nashville’s songwriters’ shrine, the Bluebird Cafe, it’s a typically loose-limbed acoustic affair with Billy Joe accompanied by his son Eddy on fiery lead guitar and Keith Christopher on bass. Shaver’s his typical good ol’ self between songs, flirting with his then-ex-wife, Brenda, who’s sitting front and center, recalling his first visit to NYC, and telling Willie Nelson jokes. The song selection is a near-perfect representation of his craft as a poet, from the rumbling “Georgia on a Fast Train” and sweetly swinging “Old Chunk of Coal” to a reverent reading of “Live Forever.” Storyteller captures one night long ago that’s sure to be enjoyed for years to come.

***.5

This article appears in September 7 • 2007.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US