In many respects, the true measure of an artist is his reputation among peers. Using this metric, Billy Joe Shaver remains one of country music"s greatest assets. Culled from six records (three from the "70s and three from the "80s), this retrospective not only salutes the songwriter, but also sheds light on the gruff, effortless singer. Assisted along the way by friends including Dickey Betts, Willie Nelson, and son Eddy, Shaver sings with brutal honesty about love, faith, religion, rambling, fighting, and freedom. Despite the varied subjects, he never seems to contradict himself: He knows that all have a place in real life. More than "outlaw country," this is "outcast country." Eddy"s guitar work, which accompanies all of the 1980s work, adds even more punch to his father"s sound. By anyone"s expectations, this would have been the definitive Shaver collection, but who"d have thought that Billy Joe and son would still be pumping out superb records throughout the 1990s? --Marc Greilsamer