Music Review: Billy Joe Shaver, Long In The Tooth

By Melissa Bratcher

Billy Joe Shaver is quite a character. His songs have become classics (“I’m Just An Old Chunk Of Coal,” “Ain’t No God In Mexico”); he was the spiritual advisor to Texas gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman (who is himself a character); he’s acted in The Apostle; and he even sings the theme for Adult Swim’s The Squidbillies. He’s kicked against the country music establishment, recording what is regarded as the first “outlaw” country album, and he shows no signs of giving up his prickliness just yet.

On “Hard To Be An Outlaw,” the opening track of his first studio album in six years, Shaver, joined by Willie Nelson (in fine voice), laments that it’s “hard to be an outlaw/when you ain’t wanted anymore.” It’s a pointed track, putting the current crop of “outlaw” nu-country singers on notice, as well it should. The theme continues, as it were, on the title track, a down and dirty swamp stomp accompanied by a jaw harp. Aging isn’t far from Shaver’s mind here, as he sings about getting “Long In The Tooth” and repeats that lyric enough times that it becomes mantra-like. His varied versions of the line are utterly entertaining.

Shaver’s lyrics are so honest and clever that it takes a great deal of restraint to not quote all of them here. His turns of phrase and his authentic voice on “The Git Go,” a lonesome song with a mournful harmonica, touch on politics, the Garden of Eden, Jesus, and poverty. “Checkers And Chess” takes on inequality as well, with a rambling guitar line and shuffle. He has a timeworn voice (with the most charming bit of yodel on certain words) and the wisdom that comes with that time. He’s a smart guy, and you should listen.

“I’ll Love You As Much As I Can” is one of those honest songs. A warm, barroom waltz with fiddle and piano, Shaver’s vocals are relaxed and easy, as he sings from the perspective of a man who’s loved many and doesn’t have much left but he’ll love her as much as he can. It’s endearing in a way that is unexpected. “Last Call For Alcohol,” or “alky-hol” as he sings it, could be its companion piece, a boozy stomper about getting over a “honky tonkin’ good for nothin’” woman by drinking excessively.

“I’m In Love” is really lovely and earnest, with delicate guitar and strings that get it just right, not at all overbearing. That’s an impressive feat. The evocative “American Me,” with memories of a maiden in Mexico, is a hazy and wistful candlelit song with swoony fiddle and Mariachi-like accordion.

The album wraps up with the presumably autobiographical “Music City USA” about a “crazy fool with shaggy hair” who was out to “capture Music City USA.” Shaver delivers lyrics in a near rap over a freight train, Bakersfieldian chug. It’s delightful.

Long In The Tooth is a welcome return by one of country music’s iconoclasts. Billy Joe Shaver has made a record that is warm, angry, witty, and most of all, honest. Let’s hope he doesn’t stay away so long next time.

Long In The Tooth was released on August 5 by Lightning Rod Records.