Customer Reviews

It's Not Big It's Large

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Closer in sound to "Lyle Lovett and His Large Band" and "Joshua Judges Ruth" than the last couple of albums, Lovett is clearly in his comfort zone when it comes to mixing so many diverse styles from big band, elements of jazz, country and acoustic folkie ruminations on life, love and death. "It's Not Big It's Large" continues on in the vein of those other albums and is a terrific recordings with top notch songs.

Fans may want to be aware that there is also a deluxe edition with a DVD. This features performances of the songs woven into a documentary about the making of the album. If you're a huge Lovett fan you may want to pick this up vs. the regular CD version.

Opening with the a cover of Lester Young's "Tickle Toe" and moving quickly into the gospel tinged "I Will Rise Up/Ain't No More Cane" (the latter part of the medley is reprised at the end along with an acoustic performance of "Up in Indiana", just about every song from the jazzy sounding "No Big Deal" to "Don't Cry a Tear" opening with the moody sounds of steel and acoustic guitar can hold their own with his best material.

The witty "It's All Downhill" name checks his compatriots Joe Ely, John Hiatt and Guy Clark (they toured as part of a singer/songwriter package together). The name check is more than tip of the hat to these other soulful singer/songwriters as he also thanks them in the credits. There's no doubt that Lovett's peers gave him feedback on the songs he composed for this album. Clark himself makes a guest appearence on "South Texas Girl" one of the songs with the strongest country flavor.

While this album doesn't break any new ground in terms of the sound or style (clearly Lovett has found his niche sound and it works well for him), it's ultimately the quality of the songs themselves that sells "It's Not Big It's Large". Packaged in a digipak holder with a booklet featuring lyrics, this is a strong album from Lovett.
-Wayne Klein

Have just listened to one run through of the new CD, but it's incredible and even if you're new to Lyle's music, you'll fall under his impressive storytellling charms. He's in a class by himself ... and with good reason.

I'm partial to ALL DOWNHILL because Lovett talks about Joe Ely, John Hiatt and Guy Clark ... and about the surprise that success sometimes brings and the uncertainty every performer must deal with from time to time. He also tips his hat to his former neighbor, Robert Earl Keen, by putting AIN'T NO CANE, one of the songs they learned together back in the late 70s on the CD.

Clark opens and closes SOUTH TEXAS GIRL, a great waltz across Texas. Wow.

UP IN INDIANA will give you something to think about ... "Hell don't care and Heaven knows, I'm Up in Indiana Where the tall corn grows."

NO BIG DEAL is also vintage Lovett. It harkens back to his 1998 cover Willis Alan Ramsey's SLEEPWALKING. This one is a little bit country, a lot smooth jazz licks and just a barrel of fun.

Lyle takes a more somber approach to I WILL RISE UP and AIN'T NO MORE CANE, surrounding himself with some great gospel voices .... this is some powerful stuff.

DON'T CRY A TEAR is a tender goodbye to a loved one .... It begins with what sounds like an aboriginal didgeridoo, the deep reverberation of a single bass note .... But there are echos of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" throughout the song, so it must be a celebration of life, rather than a sad dirge ... lovely. Just lovely.

TICKLE TOE reminds me of the Tonight Show band, coming back after a commerical break. Happy notes. Very happy notes.

The final two cuts are acoustic versions of AIN'T NO MORE CANE and UP IN INDIANA ... to my ears, they are better stripped down to their essence ... there are some great voices on AIN'T NO MORE CANE and there's some terrific pickin' on UP IN INDIANA ... doesn't get much better than this .... really.

I've been a Lovett fan for more years than I care to count .... he has never failed to deliver the goods ... with this new release, he has once again stepped up to the plate and hit a home run. This CD will be in rotation on my iPod forever.

"It's Not Big It's Large" will be a breath of fresh air to any Lyle Lovett fan, starved for new music from the gifted Texan, who had been an insanely original blend of not quite country, not quite jazz and not quite blues. Lyle has not had a new release since 2003's "My Baby Don't Tolerate," his first release on the Lost Highway label. "Tolerate" was a solid, if unspectacular effort that managed to peak at #7 on the C&M charts largely because of the re-release of two earlier Lovett standards, "San Antonio Girl" and "The Truck Song" as well as the lively "Cute as a Bug."

Lovett had four definitive efforts from 1986 to 1996, "Pontiac," " Lyle Lovett and His Large Band," "Joshua Judges Ruth" and "The Road to Ensenada" before veering off in a different direction, one that I tolerated (no pun intended) because it was Lyle but a direction I did not like nearly as well. "It's Not Big" represents a return to that early 90's Lovett sound that I found to be so original and refreshing.
Lovett's Large Band was always tight, and this CD is no different.

Returning from "Ensenada" are the backbone of the Large Band, bass player Vicktor Krauss, guitarists Mitch Watkins and Dean Parks, cello player John Hagan, mandolin player Sam Bush, drummer Russ Kunkle, Matt Rollings on keys and the sweet harmonies of Sweet Pea Atkinson and Francine Reed. These performers have lost nothing and continue to form a sweet blend of blues, jazz and country that almost no one else I know can pull off.

This CD had me hooked from the opening riffs of Tickle Toe, which takes you back to the jazz influences of 1989's Lyle Lovett and His Large Band. "Make it Happy" will remind you of "Church" from the "Joshua" album. And "Travelling Around" seems to be influenced by one of my favorite Lovett cuts "If I Needed You." "No Big Deal" is Lovett at his jazzy-bluesy best, and "Ain't No More Cane" recalls Lovett's spiritual influences. There are two versions of "Up in Indiana "on this CD, the latter an acoustic bluegrass version that features some incredible dobro, fiddle and mandolin playing that will have you tapping your feet. The Alley Song is a soft ballad that will take you back to the title track of "Ensenada."

All in all, this CD will likely not go down as his very best effort, but when all is said and done I will clump this CD with the four albums described earlier as albums all Lyle Lovett fans will want to own.

I agree with everything the others have written, but I would encourage you to buy the deluxe edition which includes a DVD. The DVD really adds to the enjoyment and understanding of many of the songs. Two in particular are important: "I Will Rise Up" and "South Texas Girl".

Seeing Lyle's family, the ranch, hearing what may be part of his story, seeing some of his horses and seeing his girlfriend, who he has been with since 1999 really enriched "South Texas Girl". Similarly, it opened up the full range of interpretations to "I Will Rise Up/Ain't No More Cane". Lyle has been opening/closing with that song live and when I heard it I thought it was right up there with Springstein's "Streets of Philsdelphia" and "Nebraska".

After seeing the DVD I went out and bought one for my best friend, who came to the concert with me. It's an investment in enjoyment and understanding.

By the way, if you don't have the self-titled Lyle Lovett CD, there are songs on that baby that exhibit true world-class writing, as creative, clear and poignant as you can get while continuing to be sincere, insightful, and simple.

"It's Not Big It's Large" will be a breath of fresh air to any Lyle Lovett fan, starved for new music from the gifted Texan, who had been an insanely original blend of not quite country, not quite jazz and not quite blues. Lyle has not had a new release since 2003's "My Baby Don't Tolerate," his first release on the Lost Highway label. "Tolerate" was a solid, if unspectacular effort that managed to peak at #7 on the C&M charts largely because of the re-release of two earlier Lovett standards, "San Antonio Girl" and "The Truck Song" as well as the lively "Cute as a Bug."

Lovett had four definitive efforts from 1986 to 1996, "Pontiac," " Lyle Lovett and His Large Band," "Joshua Judges Ruth" and "The Road to Ensenada" before veering off in a different direction, one that I tolerated (no pun intended) because it was Lyle but a direction I did not like nearly as well. "It's Not Big" represents a return to that early 90's Lovett sound that I found to be so original and refreshing.
Lovett's Large Band was always tight, and this CD is no different. Returning from "Ensenada" are the backbone of the Large Band, bass player Vicktor Krauss, guitarists Mitch Watkins and Dean Parks, cello player John Hagan, mandolin player Sam Bush, drummer Russ Kunkle, Matt Rollings on keys and the sweet harmonies of Sweet Pea Atkinson and Francine Reed. These performers have lost nothing and continue to form a sweet blend of blues, jazz and country that almost no one else I know can pull off.

This CD had me hooked from the opening riffs of Tickle Toe, which takes you back to the jazz influences of 1989's Lyle Lovett and His Large Band. "Make it Happy" will remind you of "Church" from the "Joshua" album. And "Travelling Around" seems to be influenced by one of my favorite Lovett cuts "If I Needed You." "No Big Deal" is Lovett at his jazzy-bluesy best, and "Ain't No More Cane" recalls Lovett's spiritual influences. There are two versions of "Up in Indiana "on this CD, the latter an acoustic bluegrass version that features some incredible dobro, fiddle and mandolin playing that will have you tapping your feet. The Alley Song is a soft ballad that will take you back to the title track of "Ensenada."

All in all, this CD will likely not go down as his very best effort, but when all is said and done I will clump this CD with the four albums described earlier as albums all Lyle Lovett fans will want to own.

Review for Extended Discs

"Perhaps only a few regular folks know that Lovett is a country music artist, a member of an elite group of Texas songwriters who has combined Tin Pan Alley sophistication, folk directness, and country-and-western storytelling to create a dazzling hybrid form of American music. " Will Layman

Lyle Lovett has a new CD with his glorious "Large Band", and double entendre titled, 'It's Not Big, It's Large.' My best friend and I listened to this CD together. It is dark, funny and oh so sweet. It took only two listens to realize that this CD may be his best. The 12 songs are finely tuned, and the band is more restrained to allow Lyle Lovett's voice and guitar playing to shine through.

'I Will Rise Up' is about death. "And I will rise up / Though I be a dead man / And I will stand tall / Until I meet my end". A bluesy gospel tune.

His next tune,'All Downhill' "A ride a good horse / I like him, of course / I've got a beautiful girlfriend / Sometimes we stay in". "I've had an excellent time so far / There's only one thing I fear / I've been up so long on this lucky star / It could be all downhill from here". Oh, yes, we hear the fun and the warning.

'Don't Cry a Tear', "Go if you must go / Turn if you must turn away / Don't cry a tear for me / Laugh if you can smile / Run if you're walking away / Don't cry a tear for me / Shout if can speak / Sing if you mention my name / Don't cry a tear for me". This is a classic of Lyle Lovett's, a sadness with beautiful guitar playing.

"This Traveling Around" is a simple tune. "And this travelin' around / It's gonna be the death of me" we understand from the lyrics why he can't go home.

'South Texas Girl', is a tune about childhood and parents. "And I didn't know what the words meant or anything / I was just singing."

'Up in Indiana',is a song about a girl named 'Rose', and is a tune with country rockin' and bluegrass band.

'The Alley Song' is the inimitable Lyle Lovett song. "I don't have to see your eyes / To know what you're not thinkin'".

'No Big Deal about a lover who cheats.

'Make It Happy' is joyful. "I am a happy sun of a gun"

'Ain't No More Cane'sounds like a church hymn. Slow and resounding.

"Across this great expanse of transcendent American music, Lyle Lovett emerges as a humble hero. He writes the stories of people struggling with the most important questions of identity, mortality, sex, and justice; he gives his brilliant band and singers a platform for individual expression; and he places the tradition of "country music" within the context of all of America's best music, regardless of style." Jim Newell

This is a CD for the ages. Lyle Lovett has used his resources to match his mood of sadness, fun, death and love. This is the perfect antidote to an everyday humdrum life. Put on the CD, clap your hands, stamp your feet and dance on the ceiling. Country, rock and old time church goin' songs are the forte. Wonderfully written tunes with a message and story. Sure to become a staple for the Lyle Lovett fans.

Highly, Highly recommended. prisrob 09-09-07

Pontiac

The Road to Ensenada

Anthology, Vol. 1: Cowboy Man

Few people would be brave enough to structure an album the way Lyle does here, in that he doesn't exactly stack the most commercial stuff to the front. For example, he starts things off with a Bob Wills style instrumental rather than a hook-laden vocal of his own. Back in the days when record programmers started each LP side off with the potential "hits," this would have raised a few hairs. But, of course, such risk taking is what Lyle is all about, right? Many of the songs here utilize sections of the "large band" rather than the whole enchilada, and the backup vocalists, old buddies Sweet Pea Atkinson and Harry Bowens, and others, are used prominently. As a whole, "It's Not Big.." is fairly uncategorizable, it isn't exactly country, it isn't exactly jazz, and so on. There is a good deal of repetition in the lyrical lines but, once you get into the groove, the music is strong enough to get you past that.

The songs on this disc are diverse in theme and sound. My favorite track is "Tickle Toe" It is very upbeat. I like the trumpet playing by Gary Grant on this first cut very much. "Don't Cry A Tear" is a beautiful song. The acoustic guitar playing is so heartfelt and touching. "I Will Rise Up" is another good track. Lyle sounds tough and rugged on this track. I love the strong beat in this song. "All Down Hill From Here" and "Make me Happy" are two uptempo tracks about enjoying life. The fiddle playing by Stuart Duncan is so good on this song. Matt Rollins infuses these tracks with a vitality with his piano playing. "Aint No More Cane" and "This Travelling Around" are two tracks about how weary and tough life can be. "South Texas Girl" is a nice tribute to the beauty of Lyle's home state. Lyle sounds so laid back and cool. The track "No Big Deal" is great too. The piano playing accompanies his vocals well here. I enjoyed every track on this disc.

Explaining Lyle Lovett's music to the uninitiated often results in just playing the CDs and letting them hear for themselves. What I love about Lovett is that you really don't know what to expect when you sit down to listen to a new CD, but it's pretty much all good. I've never been able to pick a favorite style between the jazzy big band, gospel, country, and alternative selections.

"Tickle Toe" opens up with a jazzy instrumental that clearly kept his band jumping and will get dance fans up on their feet.

"I will rise up" has the gospel sound and the a harmony line and closer that is so gorgeous it'll make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. This one ties with "Church" for my favorite of Lyle's gospel rooted music.

It was great to hear Guy Clark singing along on "South Texas Girl." This is one of those songs with a story behind it that Lyle's so good at telling.

"It's all Downhill" is another example of Lyle's wry self-deprecating humor.

He knows full well he's on top now, but will his star fall? I sincerely hope not soon and certainly not with this CD. This one is destined to be one of Lyle's best along with "Joshua Judges Ruth," "Pontiac," and "Live in Texas."

Me and my girlfriends stumbled upon 4th row and center of Lyle and his Large Band at the Bass Peformance Hall in Fort Worth last night. I hadn't listened to Lyle other than "I Love Everybody" CD years ago. I hadn't heard the CD before the music on stage and was a bit reluctant with the jazzy style. Boy was I wrong. Seeing the very, very large band, the incredible talent on stage, the soulful singers and musicians and Lyle front and center was unbelievable. We were dancing in our chairs only to find out that alot of what he played live is on this CD. My friend had been listening to it all week and she said she now appreciates just how incredible the new CD is after seeing them all live in action. Their chemistry and talent are just amazing. I own the CD now and will now go and get every CD I have missed over the years. Thanks Lyle and your incredible, incredible talent and those amazing talented musicians with you. Turn it up loud and imagine them in front of you, all 16 or so of you. I am glad we have the CD to help remind us of this most incredible night.