Label
	Koch Records
	Release
	1973
	Artist
	Old Five and Dimers Like Me
	Rating

Old Five and Dimers Like Me was Billy Joe Shaver’s debut album and was re-released in 1996 with digital enhancement. It’s got to be said that pretty much every song on this album is a classic today. The fact that the likes of Waylon Jennings (Honky Tonk Heroes being littered with Shaver covers), David Allen Coe, Elvis Presley and Kris Kristofferson have covered nearly every song on this album is testament to what a good songwriter Billy Joe Shaver is, and how legendary this album has become. Despite not being as commercially successful as some of the aforementioned artists, you can be sure you’re hearing the original and best when listening to this album.

The opening track ‘Black Rose’ still stands as one of the best rocking country tracks of all time, but I have to say I prefer Waylon Jenning’s version. However there’s no beating the orignal versions of ‘Willie The Wandering Gypsy’, ‘Low Down Freedom’ and ‘Old Five and Dimers…’. Shaver’s earlier records don’t have the same energy as some of his later stuff, but the blend of folk, blues and classic country makes the sound unique in its own way.

I’m sure that without arguement the most memorable thing about Billy Joe Shaver and this album is the sheer quality and depth of the lyrics, easily as good as Kristofferson in my opinion. I don’t think there’s much out there better written than ‘Black Rose’:

“When the devil made that woman, Lord he threw the pattern away
She was built for speed with the tools you need, to make a new fool every day”