Smile ~ Songs from the Movies

Lyle Lovett

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 25, 2003)
• Original Release Date: February 25, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000089H9U
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,088 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
If it hadn't been so long since Lyle Lovett released an album of original songs--that would be 1996's Road to Ensenada--Smile might seem more significant than it really is. Not that it doesn't contain some wonderful music. But like Step Inside This House, Lovett's 1998 tribute to his favorite Texas singer-songwriters, Smile only whets the appetite for more original material. The concept is simple enough: take 12 songs that Lovett has recorded for various movies since 1992 and put them all on one disc. The crowd-pleaser "You've Got a Friend in Me," his Toy Story duet with Randy Newman, is probably the most familiar of the bunch, followed by Burt Bacharach and Tim Rice's wistful "Walking Tall," from Stuart Little. Even better, though, are the ones that may have slipped through the cracks, such as the gospel standard "Pass Me Not," from 1994's Leap of Faith, and Nat "King" Cole's "Straighten Up and Fly Right," from the 1996 Garry Marshall comedy Dear God. And Lovett's Chet Baker-style take on Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies," from 1994's With Honors, proves that the Texas troubadour is a much more versatile singer than he often gets credit for. Smile may not be in the same league as Lovett's best original work, but it's a pleasant enough diversion nonetheless. --David Hill

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable listen!, February 27, 2003

By	"theopinionator" (El Paso, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Lovett's last set of all new original material came in 1996, so one can't help but be disappointed that the new "Smile" contains no new recordings and no Lovett compositions. (At least his last compilation, "Cowboy Man," brought us two new songs.) But all is forgiven once you put this CD in the player and give it a listen.

Even the die-hard fan isn't likely to own all the soundtracks from which "Smile"'s songs are culled; so getting this disc is an ideal way to complete your Lovett collection. But "Smile" is more than a completionist's must-have; it is also a concept album. And its concept is Lovett's passion for the movies. This concept makes the set hang together as a musical (and theatrical) whole.

Though there is nothing on "Smile" that feels like filler, a couple of standout tracks merit particular mention. Lovett's rendition of "Mack the Knife" from Kurt Weill's "Threepenny Opera" rivals (even surpasses) the well-respected Bobby Darin version. Though a far cry from Weill's original arrangement, the rich orchestration heard here somehow works with Lovett's restrained but plangent vocal.

Another highlight of the disc is Lovett's remaking of Ray Charles's "What'd I Say." True to the spirit of the original, this track proves that Lovett can sing soul music soulfully.

Perhaps the best-known song on the disc is Lovett's duet with Randy Newman--"You've Got a Friend in Me" from Disney's "Toy Story." In the context of this set, this song takes on new meaning and Lovett's admiration for Mr. Newman's music suddenly becomes more pertinent than the saga between Buzz Lightyear and Woody.

"Smile" may not break new ground the way that Lovett's last set of standards ("Step Inside This House") did, but it must be the most essential collection of previously released non-originals in the history of popular music. And like most of Lovett's records, it is just plain fun to listen to.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lyle Goes To The Movies, February 26, 2003

By	"ragtales" (Omaha, NE United States) - See all my reviews

Years ago I decided on this simple credo: Any Lyle Lovett is better than no Lyle Lovett. This is a very good collection of music Mr. Lovett has recorded for several different movies over the last several years. Some are solo, some are collaborations, none are originals. Several of the cuts have the smoky, big-band sound that Lyle Lovett does so well. The three cuts in the middle of the disc: Moritat (Mack The Knife), Summer Wind & What'd I Say are three of the best interpretations I have ever heard. They're hot and they swing! Now...this collection continues a trend that concerns me and some of the other Lyle Lovett faithful I have spoken with: When can we expect a recording of "new" songs? Lyle Lovett's last release of all new vocal material was "The Road To Ensenada" in 1996. Such a long dry spell for such a vivid, expressive, original songwriter. I enjoyed this recording a lot, probably more than I expected. I look forward to the "new" stuff but, hey, "any Lyle..."

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great late night listening ................, April 27, 2004

By	S. Shah (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am amazed that all the criticism of this album is largely because this is not new material. So what!

This is a well crafted album of songs that are interpreted in Lyle's unique style.

Enjoy the album for what it is and not what it isn't. The material is wonderful. This is a mellow jazz album that is full of surprises.

Grab yourself a good scotch, turn down the lights and turn up the music.