My Baby Don't Tolerate

Lyle Lovett | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 30, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lost Highway
• ASIN: B0000C69UU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,949 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Maybe it was that thigh-splitting encounter with a belligerent bull, but whatever put him there, Lyle Lovett is in a nostalgic mood on My Baby Don’t Tolerate, his first studio album of all new and original songs since the country-minded The Road to Ensenada in 1996. This is a mixed blessing--several songs sound like retreads from Lovett’s earlier efforts, even as a listener welcomes the reprised syncopated, hep cat, Louis Jordan-meets-Sister Rosetta Tharpe signatures that help define his quirky style. While a key tune, "In My Own Mind," turns around a family man who seeks solace from a busy household, drawing restorative power from nature ("no rain, just the sunshine"), the album finds itself when Lovett begins revisiting dark places in his mind. Forget "Cute as a Bug," a by-now formulaic song of hottie lust, and get right to the bleak antagonist who narrates the confused loss of the elegantly jazzy "You Were Always There," the snaky blues of the title song, the pointy-toed send-up of bygone Music City hillbillies ("Nashville"), and the sly portrayal of the bribes of luckless blacks ("Election Day") in the old-time South. As the infectious, if repetitious gospel numbers prove, the man with "Eraserhead" hair isn’t breaking any new ground. But he still fuses country, blues, jazz, folk, big band, and pop like no one else on the planet. --Alanna Nash

Product Description

14 songs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty disappointed, but an OK Lyle is better than most, February 28, 2004

By 

J. Villeneuve "jayvil" (Newtown, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Baby Don't Tolerate (Audio CD)

As a huge LL fan, I must say I was disappointed in this release. Maybe it was the wait, maybe it's the slower pace of most of the songs. Whatever it is, it's just not LL at his best. Many songs are repetitive - have you heard "Cute as a Bug"? I can't honestly see myself reaching for this CD over "Ensanada" or "Large Band" perhaps ever.

With all of that being said, he's still Lyle Lovett! The voice is as good as ever and the variety of music and moods will probably give you a few songs you'll like.
-If you're new to Lyle start elsewhere (my vote would be Ensanada).
-If you're a big fan you'll probably get this anyway.
-If you're a casual fan, I wouldn't say "don't" get this, but if you're eyeing a few more CDs and you're on a budget - this one can wait.

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last - new LYLE, October 1, 2003

By 

Seattle Steve (Seattle, Wa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Baby Don't Tolerate (Audio CD)

Lyle's first release of original new material in years was a hit with me. I was expecting the Large Band but only bass player Viktor Krauss joined Lyle on the CD. However, having said that, Lyle chose a venerable who's who of fantastic long time studio musicians like Russ Kunkel (drums) and Dean Parks (electric guitar). And especially nice is the reappearance of Kentucky mandolin player Sam Bush, who has been absent from Lovett's last couple of Large Band tours. All in all, the musicians are excellent and the tunes are tight. I do miss the distinctive vocal harmonies of the Large Band back up singers, particularly Francine Reed and Sweet Pea Atkinson. Also notable by his absence is cello player John Hagan, who adds such a distinctive quality to the Large Band. But still, this cd is a celebration of new Lyle Lovett music, and the cd does not disappoint. His first effort on the Lone Star Music label, Lovett begins the cd with a poppy "Cute as a Bug" which will have you tapping your feet and singing along a minute into it. Lyle also presents two new versions of his latest recordings, "Truck Song" and "San Antonio Girl" and they sound great - not neccessarily better or worse than the original, but different. The middle tracks of the cd are all solid from the title track "My Baby Don't Tolerate" to "Working Too Hard." Lovett closes the cd with two vocally powerful Christian tunes, "I'm Gonna Wait" and "I'm Going to the Place," both of which features a sweet choir in the background. Lyle wrote all the material with the exception of one song, "Election Day," so if you are a big fan of Lyle's sometimes funny, sometimes sad but always clever lyrical style, you will enjoy this cd. Lyle's styles have varied from country to jazz to the blues, and this cd is certainly of the country persuasion. All in all a solid, solid effort that I would recommend to the first time Lyle listener and definitely a must to any Lyle fan.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Lyle, September 30, 2003

By 

Karl Miller "kemspeaks" (Phoenixville, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Baby Don't Tolerate (Audio CD)

Lyle Lovett breaks no new ground with "My Baby Don't Tolerate" - which is fine with me. Because no one blends blues, country, jazz, rock and gospel - and makes it sound so right as Mr. Lovett.
For his first album of originals since 1996, Lyle sticks with what he knows best - well played strings, snarkily twisted lyrics, and softly crooned vocals. It's everything you love about Lyle - which is why it is such a pleasure to hear him again.
The title track is all southern style blues, with a great vocal and wonderful piano and guitar accompaniment. "You Were Always There" makes some great use of Lyle's jazz leaning, and is probably the closest thing to Lyle straying outside of his traditional box on this disc. The double gospel hit which ends this disc ("I'm Going To Wait", "I'm Going To The Place") are some of the liveliest vocal stylings since "Church", and once again, Sweet Pea Atkinson and Francine Reed contribute exceptional backgrounds. And you're going to love Lyle's dips into Texas swing ("The Truck Song", "San Antonio Girl"), a style that nobody in music at present plays better than Lyle.
It's been a long 8 years without fresh material from this one-of-a-kind artist (okay, maybe 2 of a kind - Rickie Lee Jones is his musical twin). Glad to have him beck recording new material, and can't wait to see him live again - Lyle's shows are also among the best in music.