Lyle Lovett Album: “Smile”

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..."

Lyle Lovett's best recording is still "The Road to Ensenada," his last album of original material. Although it is disappointing that "Smile" doesn't include new material, the performances on this CD are outstanding. It's also nice to have them all in one place, rather than a song here and there on multiple soundtracks.

The varied styles here show Lyle's versatility and illustrate why he doesn't get radio airplay. This guy doesn't fit into some neat little box. Is he country? Rock/pop? Jazz? Big band? Gospel? Well, yeah, he's all that. Where else will you find songs written by Burt Bacharach, Irving Berlin, Randy Newman, Ray Charles, Charlie Chaplin, Bob Seger and others, all in one place?

Lyle Lovett is the only artist whose CDs I'd buy without even hearing a note first. I know the music will be excellent, and he hasn't let me down yet. If you are a Lyle Lovett fan you need to add this to your collection. If you haven't discovered Lyle yet, start with his greatest hits in "Anthology" and the classic "Road to Ensenada" then move on to "Smile" and his many other recordings. You'll be hooked!

Lyle Lovett is one of the most gifted performers on the music scene today, and I have been starved for a new release for some time. There are some great tunes on this album, though I would have preferred a true, new original album, like "Road to Ensenada" rather than a collection of tunes he recorded for the movies. "I'm a Soldier in the Army of the Lord" has become one of my favorites, and everyone will recognize "You've got a friend in me" from "Toy Story." "Pass Me Not" continues Lyle's Christian music influences, along with "Soldier." The "Mack the Knife" cover is probably the only album's disappointment, in my opinion. Lyle has a new album of originals coming out in September. This will have to do until then. If you have everything else Lyle has released, you'll have to have this one. If you have heard how great Lyle is (and he really is awesome) but you've not bought a cd of his before, go out and get "Road to Ensenada" instead.

This is a great CD but something still feels lacking. I guess I just miss the old Lyle. Dave Carter put out a couple of CDs that made me think that Lyle's spirit had found a new body. But then Carter up and died. Maybe it will appear somewhere new.

This is a compilation of Lyle's music from movie soundtracks. Some songs worked well in the movie, but may not set your toe to tapping as part of this collection. That's OK. One song on here will make up for any problems you may have with vocals here or arrangements there. Lyle's version of 'Moritat' (From Weil's Threepenny Opera, better known as 'Mac the Knife' ) is knock-you-down good. This songs been recorded too often as a happy, swingin' fingerpoppin' little number, ala Bobby Darrin. Nicht vahr, mein freund. It's really grim as grim can be, and Lyle gives you a peek at that side of it. Great arrangement.

His duet with Keb Mo' on Shine is another high point, and the closing number 'I'm a soldier (in the army of the Lord)' is a personal favorite. But the song that makes me hit 'replay' is Moritat. It's that good. I've said it before I'll say it again, Julia Roberts screwed up.