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Editorial Reviews
2012 album from the Country/Pop singer/songwriter. produced by Lyle Lovett and Nathanial Kunkel and featuring songs with K.D Lang, Kat Edmonson and Sara and Sean Watkins. While typically associated with the Country genre, Lovett's compositions often incorporate Folk, Swing, Blues, Jazz and Gospel music as well as more traditional Country & Western styling.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
67 of 70 people found the following review helpful
By B. Lane
Format:Audio CD
As a part of what Steve Earle called "Nashville's great credibility scare of the mid '80s." Lyle Lovett, along with Earle, k.d. Lang, Dwight Yoakam and others took up the traditionalist Outlaw mantel of the 70's and reinvigorated country music from it's soft-rock and Urban Cowboy influence the times.
Lyle Lovett's new album "Release me," exhibits pun in name as well as aesthetic. The album is the last for the Curb Records, the label for his entire 26-year. 11-album, career. And in case you missed that the cover art depicts Lyle tied up head-to-ankle in a lariat.
Though Lovett continues a late career trend of including cover songs. But this adios to Curb raises the stakes as it contains only two Lovett originals among the album's 14 tunes. You might conclude that this last release would be a weakened collection to meet contractual obligations. You would be wrong in that assessment.
Sure Lovett may not be the most prolific songwriter on the planet but he is one of the best interpreters. There is no one that fit to polish Lovett's boots that comes close to serving as a prism for the eclectic music styles of the Lone Star State.
"Release me" wastes no time offering a burning interpretation of the classic instrumental breakdown of "Garfield's Blackberry Blossom." The number made popular in the 1930s by Fiddlin' Arthur Smith sounds both timeless and spirited in the hands of Lovett and his band.
The title track became a hit for both Jimmy Heap and Ray Price, both in 1954. Here it's done as a duet with Lovett and k.d. lang, who is so far down in themix her soaring vocals are lost. That quibble aside it's a great tear-in-my-beer standard well done.
The cover of Michael Franks' "White Boy Lost in the Blues" slinks in with the funky blues accentuated by Arnold McCuller harmony vocals.The gospel/R&B and Memphis horn-sound of "Isn't That So" works to a rousing effect and will probably kill live.
Understand You channels beautifully the tender-hearted cowboy Lovett has portrayed many time in his career. The cover of Brown Eyed is looser that Chuck Berry's original or the covers by covered by many including fellow Texans Buddy Holly and Waylon Jennings. But the song still carries the weight Berry intended after being inspired by witnessing a Hispanic man being arrested by a policeman.
The Ragtime-inspired "Keep It Clean" dares you not to cut a rug and William Moore's One Way Gal is a fine-time front porch testament to a good woman.
"Dress of Laces" is an achingly lovely Daughter-Father twist on the classic murder ballad. White Freightliner Blues is one of the few up-tempo songs penned by the late, great Townes Van Zandt and Lovett plays it to it's full open-road greatness.
The two originals Lovett contributes to the album, The first is "The Girl With the Holiday Smile" (also on his 2011 holiday EP "Songs For the Season;") came from a real-life 1978 encounter young lady hiding out from the cops inside a Houston 7-11. This is my second favorite Christmas/hooker song (Tom Waits' Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis being the first.) The second cut "Night's Lullaby," which features Nickel Creek's Sara and Sean Watkins, was penned for a 2011 run in the Shakespeare Center Los Angeles' production of "Much Ado About Nothing" that the three appeared in.
I look forward to the work Lovett is free to explore in his new world as a free agent and am thankful he has left us with something this great to tide us over until the nest batch of surprises comes along.
TwangNation.com
Lyle Lovett's new album "Release me," exhibits pun in name as well as aesthetic. The album is the last for the Curb Records, the label for his entire 26-year. 11-album, career. And in case you missed that the cover art depicts Lyle tied up head-to-ankle in a lariat.
Though Lovett continues a late career trend of including cover songs. But this adios to Curb raises the stakes as it contains only two Lovett originals among the album's 14 tunes. You might conclude that this last release would be a weakened collection to meet contractual obligations. You would be wrong in that assessment.
Sure Lovett may not be the most prolific songwriter on the planet but he is one of the best interpreters. There is no one that fit to polish Lovett's boots that comes close to serving as a prism for the eclectic music styles of the Lone Star State.
"Release me" wastes no time offering a burning interpretation of the classic instrumental breakdown of "Garfield's Blackberry Blossom." The number made popular in the 1930s by Fiddlin' Arthur Smith sounds both timeless and spirited in the hands of Lovett and his band.
The title track became a hit for both Jimmy Heap and Ray Price, both in 1954. Here it's done as a duet with Lovett and k.d. lang, who is so far down in themix her soaring vocals are lost. That quibble aside it's a great tear-in-my-beer standard well done.
The cover of Michael Franks' "White Boy Lost in the Blues" slinks in with the funky blues accentuated by Arnold McCuller harmony vocals.The gospel/R&B and Memphis horn-sound of "Isn't That So" works to a rousing effect and will probably kill live.
Understand You channels beautifully the tender-hearted cowboy Lovett has portrayed many time in his career. The cover of Brown Eyed is looser that Chuck Berry's original or the covers by covered by many including fellow Texans Buddy Holly and Waylon Jennings. But the song still carries the weight Berry intended after being inspired by witnessing a Hispanic man being arrested by a policeman.
The Ragtime-inspired "Keep It Clean" dares you not to cut a rug and William Moore's One Way Gal is a fine-time front porch testament to a good woman.
"Dress of Laces" is an achingly lovely Daughter-Father twist on the classic murder ballad. White Freightliner Blues is one of the few up-tempo songs penned by the late, great Townes Van Zandt and Lovett plays it to it's full open-road greatness.
The two originals Lovett contributes to the album, The first is "The Girl With the Holiday Smile" (also on his 2011 holiday EP "Songs For the Season;") came from a real-life 1978 encounter young lady hiding out from the cops inside a Houston 7-11. This is my second favorite Christmas/hooker song (Tom Waits' Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis being the first.) The second cut "Night's Lullaby," which features Nickel Creek's Sara and Sean Watkins, was penned for a 2011 run in the Shakespeare Center Los Angeles' production of "Much Ado About Nothing" that the three appeared in.
I look forward to the work Lovett is free to explore in his new world as a free agent and am thankful he has left us with something this great to tide us over until the nest batch of surprises comes along.
TwangNation.com
38 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Five MARVELOUS Stars. "Release Me" is an intense, unflagging combination of country, blues, jigs, jazz, rock, standards, and gospel as 4-time Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, band leader, and actor Lyle Lovett delivers another big musical slice of Americana. One of the preeminent story tellers in American music, Lyle is a modern day musical Will Rogers who never fails to deliver unique 'takes' on life with equal doses of humor, hipness, humility, and insights that escape most of us. Most of his topics revolve around cases of love lost, love found, and love that's just hanging around. The 'best of the best' begin with the instrumental jig "Garfield's Blackberry Blossom", a toe-tapping fiddlers delight with help from steel guitar and keyboards. Title song, a heartfelt "Release Me", features k.d. lang beautifully harmonizing with Lyle. Bluesman Arnold McCuller joins in on a smoking "White Boy Lost in the Blues" that may have you 'chained to your earphones'. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" with the sensual voice of Kat Edmondson works great with Lyle begging her to stay over a bouncy beat. And perhaps best of all: the honky-tonking "One Way Gal", a loping personal version of Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyed Handsome Man"; a touching, tragic "Dress of Laces" with Sara Watkins; a smoking "White Freightliner Blues" with Keith Sewell, Luke Bulla & Ray Herndon, and much more. And it all fittingly ends on a gospel note of "Keep Us Steadfast" with Lyle's earnest voice, as if to take stock of everything that's come before on the recording. 30 years into a brilliant career and Lyle Lovett continues to give us fresh songs, hot country beats, and tender ballads with unique perspectives on life that draws devoted fans from different musical genres into his marvelous musical world. Highly Recommended. Five ENGAGING Stars! (This review is based on an mp3 download. 14 tracks: Time-51:14)
33 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It is clear to me that Lovett has been motivated to allow influences from the past to be channeled on this new CD. It's a mix of Texas Swing, Bluegrass, Traditional Country, and Rock and Roll. And a little touch of Blues. Throw in Country/Pop Tune and a Hymn to round it out the variety.
Having been accustomed to hearing "Texas Swing" growing up and loving Bluegrass as I do, this was a very enjoyable album.
If you are a Lovett fan, you won't be dissappointed, there are really no filler tracks here, IMHO.
THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR ME (I have categorized the tunes according to my own ear, yours may be different):
TEXAS SWING/BLUEGRASS STYLE
Garfield's Blackberry Blossom - reminded me of Acoustic Alchemy (Jazz)
Release Me - this duet is a fine rendition of the classic
Baby, It's Cold Outside - duet
Understand You
OTHER
Brown Eyed Man
MORE TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
Dress of Laces
One Way Gal
Night's Lullaby
White Freighliner Blues
Dress of Laces
Keep It Clean
ROCK AND ROLL
Isn't that So
HYMN
Keep Us Steadfast
Having been accustomed to hearing "Texas Swing" growing up and loving Bluegrass as I do, this was a very enjoyable album.
If you are a Lovett fan, you won't be dissappointed, there are really no filler tracks here, IMHO.
THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR ME (I have categorized the tunes according to my own ear, yours may be different):
TEXAS SWING/BLUEGRASS STYLE
Garfield's Blackberry Blossom - reminded me of Acoustic Alchemy (Jazz)
Release Me - this duet is a fine rendition of the classic
Baby, It's Cold Outside - duet
Understand You
OTHER
Brown Eyed Man
MORE TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
Dress of Laces
One Way Gal
Night's Lullaby
White Freighliner Blues
Dress of Laces
Keep It Clean
ROCK AND ROLL
Isn't that So
HYMN
Keep Us Steadfast
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
So much more than country
Wow! This was my first Lyle Lovett cd. Makes me want to buy everything he has done. Amazing talent and unique.
Published 2 days ago by Marcella M. Dean
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lyle just keeos getting better.
Singer, songwriter Lyle Lovett is in his own unique category. Have been a fan for years. This cd is a stellar combination of songs done with wit, humor, passion and reverence at... Read more
Published 20 days ago by C. Malcom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lyle Lovett
I love Lyle, so I love this CD. It was well-priced, and delivered quickly. No complaints here. If you don't have one, buy yourself one. You can't go wrong if you love him, too.
Published 1 month ago by 122653jackie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Love this music. It has a little something for everyone,rock,blues,country. country As always a great storyteller. Don't miss this one.
Published 1 month ago by Roxanne Eckles
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lyle Lovett is a Genius
I got hooked on Lyle Lovett's music early on an think he's one of the most talented singer/songwiters around. I enjoy this CD very much and it's yet another Lovett masterpiece. Read more
Published 2 months ago by L. Bergantino
5.0 out of 5 stars
More please
I could listen to Lyle Lovett eat a salad and be happy---this is a great CD...I bought two---one for me and one for reserve!
Published 2 months ago by Catfish
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good listen.
I bought this for the Kat Edmonson duet, however ths album reminded me of lyle's ability to sing a multiple of styles. It's a good listen.
Published 2 months ago by S. Schmidtke
4.0 out of 5 stars
one for the fans
Another very good album by the always pleasing Lyle Lovett. In fact, his albums are ALL so consistently good, that I think his work tends not to get the proper respect it deserves... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Donald E. Gilliland
5.0 out of 5 stars
love lyle lovett
Good album. New songs which I like very much. would recommend to lyle lovett fans or anyone else. Not your typical country music.
Published 3 months ago by Gail Barbour
5.0 out of 5 stars
A much less dark Lovett
I enjoy the songs and consider this CD to be one of his better ones. Sometimes he can sound quite despondent. Not this time
Published 3 months ago by cg
