Customer Reviews

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This was the first Lyle Lovett music I had ever heard, and I now own every one of his CD's. With a couple of hints that one day he would move in this direction on his earlier discs, he does what few artists, if any, have ever done before. He successfully mixes big band, soul and blues music...with country music!

Has this ever been done before? If it had been done before, I had never heard it. In a truly courageous manner, Lyle opens this CD with the track "Blues Walk", an instrumental. Then, the next few songs are a wonderful array of blues and soul music serving as an excellent showcase for his songwriting talents and the amazing musicians he has backing him up in his "Large Band".

There is love, confusion, and humor...and then all of sudden, Lyle lets loose with a version of "Stand By Your Man". Hearing him sing this song, you would think it was written for a man. With this song, the rest of the disc (save for the last song) is all traditional country music. The transition makes sense. The mix of the soul and country songs make sense. The themes travel seamlessly throughout the entire disc.

Do yourself a favor and buy this disc. Lyle Lovett is one of those artists who, when he is gone, people will finally realize what they have been missing. He has one of the best voices in music today, his songwriting is at once humorous, touching, heartwarming and sad, and his "Large Band" is a collection of the finest musicians working today.

This man can do it all! He writes the most clever lyrics, composes his own music, and can hop from one musical genre to another effortlessly. He has an incredible voice and impeccable timing when delivering his subtle lyrics. This is not your twangy country, and it is not the 50's rock sounding country of today. I saw Lyle Lovett in concert and was blown away. He has 12 excellent musicians that tour with him and they are so tight! Lyle Lovett has a big band sound on about half his songs, then goes into blues on one, then throws in a gospel song to grab your attention, and then will do a twangy county song just so it is impossible to pin him into a category. You have to listen to his music to understand because there is no adequate way to explain the incredible combination of his music and lyrics except to say it is like a breath of fresh air.

Lyle Lovette is one of my very favorite artist of any kind. I didn't know he was classified as country for a long time. He can write lyrics you MUST listen to (and then laugh). I know he loves his country roots, but he is one of the rare artist who can combine the talent of good music & actual story telling. Which is what a melody is supposed to do anyway. Try it and you'll love him.

Lovett is quite an oddity. He can perform traditional Country music better than any of the Nashville ilk, but his real strength is his hybrid of Texas Swing, Big Band and R&B. He is routinely snubbed by the Nashville establishment, but manages to win a Grammy nearly every year. He doesn't play by the established rules of Country(rules that would have Ernest Tubbs spinning in his grave) and more than likely doesn't care much for Nashville anyway. This album really shows his diversity. It's all here. Everything from Country to R&B and Big Band and just about every combination of all of those rolled up into one number. From the sly, droll humor of "Here I Am" to the achingly beautifull "If You Were To Wake Up" you just can't lose. Don't ever pass up the opportunity to see him perform with his phenomenal band.

This, in my opinion, is Lyle Lovett's best album. It's the one I lend out when I introduce people to his music, and it's the one I'm the most anxious to get back so I can listen to it again. The album has a perfect mix of his styles. Don't like country? Listen to the first half. Not into blues? Listen to the second. The lyrics on this album are about as clever as they ever get, and the music is even more addictive. Also, this is the first album with Francine Reed as a featured soloist. Buy it and be careful who you let borrow it.

I worked in country radio for a few years down in northern Florida about the time Lyle's first album was released. We jumped on every single that was released from that debut album because he was just so distinctive and original sounding. A few years later I was at a station in New England and the "Large Band" album came out. So different from the first couple of albums yet still unmistakably Lyle Lovett. This man has the ability to evoke memories from all walks of life as well as make you smile, laugh, think, want to get up and dance and more. After hearing this album, I don't think there's a style of music the man cannot do well. Another reviewer spoke of Mr. Lovett as having no measurable talent or good looks. On the contrary...Mr. Lovett's talents are immeasurable. There's some amazing stuff going on here both musically and lyrically, and if someone's basing their opinion of his talent on just ONE album, that's just not the whole story on him at all. Artists as talented and diverse as Lyle Lovett are criminally few and far between, and he's proven that with each and every release.

This was my introduction to Lyle Lovett and though I've had the album for many years, I still enjoy it. In fact, I can't think of a record I have listened to more. The lyrics still make me laugh, the music keeps me moving.

What a talent! With perfect delivery of witty and funny lyrics, stunning music, and not to be pigeon holed style, Lyle Lovett delivers! This release made me a fan, if not a believer!

A very good album to listen to whether it's just to enjoy with friends or with your significant other. Very fun and sweet with lyrics that do better than the Nashville sutdio machine or the up & coming swing bands. Best love song is track 10.

This was the first Lovett album I purchased back in the early 90's...I love it....you NEVER tire of this album, and EVERY song is wonderfully done...my favorite is the earthy, soulful: "What do you do/the glory of love"...listen to the dialogue between the singers...so funny, yet so true. If you enjoy the "big band sound" with that horn section...buy this...you will NOT be disappointed.