Disc Debuts: 'Everybody's Brother' by Billy Joe Shaver
12:00 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Billy Joe Shaver
Everybody's Brother
(Compadre)

TENDER BILLY: The best moments on Texas country legend Billy Joe Shaver's newest studio disc, Everybody's Brother, arrive when he's in quiet, reflective mode. Two ballads, "To Be Loved by a Woman" and "The Greatest Man Alive," capture the weathered warbler at his most emotional. He's waxing about his past, about his love for late wife Brenda and about his storied artistic reputation, with a mixture of melancholy and memories.

GOSPEL BILLY: A lot of Everybody's Brother, however, centers on Mr. Shaver's religious fervor. As he's done before, namely on the 1998 gospel recording Victory, the Waco-based singer-songwriter pays tribute to Jesus on more than a third of the 15 tunes. He corrals supporters in duet partners John Anderson ("Get Thee Behind Me Satan," "Jesus Is the Only One That Loves Us"), Kris Kristofferson ("No Earthly Good"), Marty Stuart ("Winning Again"), Tanya Tucker ("Played the Game Too Long"), Bill Miller ("Everybody's Brother") and the late Johnny Cash ("You Just Can't Beat Jesus Christ"). Sometimes Mr. Shaver's preaching gets too heavy-handed, but he always comes off as sincere.

BOTTOM LINE: Everybody's Brother isn't lighthearted listening. Then again, Mr. Shaver's never been a white-noise type of artist. What continues to make his music relevant is the man writing and delivering it. He's compelling simply because he's honest.