Lyle Lovett Album: “Joshua Judges Ruth”

This is such a great mood album. It's one of those albums that you put on the stereo when you want to turn down or turn off the lights and just listen to the music and do nothing but let your thoughts drift. "North Dakota" is a perfect example of this.

I also love "All My Love is Gone"; "You've Been So Good Up To Now"; "I've Been To Memphis"; and "She Makes Me Feel Good".

Buy a copy of this CD, chase every one out of the house, crank up the stereo, turn down the lights, and kick back in your favorite chair and enjoy!

The mix on this CD sets a standard that all other DTS music CDs should strive for. I can't remember who mixed this (I don't have the CD in front of me) but it was obviously a labor of love. I own a lot of DTS music discs as well as DVD Audio. I have never heard another DTS disc that even comes close to this one and I've never heard a DVD Audio mix that was any better. Lyle's voice is isolated in the center channel and instruments are perfectly placed around you in the mix. Turn down the lights and put on this disc and you'll swear you were in the room with the band. On the Church song, the choir is in the surrounds and you'll swear you were in church sitting in front of them. On "She's Already Made Up Her Mind", the smooth, very deep bass is a test for anyone's audiophile system. This disc should be a reference used anywhere surround systems are sold. As a matter of fact, I purchased this disc and took it with me everywhere I demo'd surround systems before I purchased my surround processor and amplifiers. Yes, this disc is THAT good! This album is Lyle's masterpiece. There's not one bad song on it. Don't be fooled if you think Lyle is a simply a "Country" artist. He's capable of jazz, blues, country, soul and gospel and combines them brilliantly on this album. Bottom Line: A masterpiece with a fine surround mix. You can't go wrong with this one!

I always wondered why Julia Roberts married Lyle Lovett. After listening to Joshua Judges Ruth my question is now why did she divorce him?

In the movie "Stripes" Bill Murray says to his platoon mates: "Chicks dig me, but now I know why I lose chicks to guys like you....it's the STORIES". Well, now I know why Julia loved Lyle. His way of telling stories in song are awesome.

I got this CD for Christmas from my mother-in-law. It is unbelievable. The range of music, topics, and vocals is awesome. I pride myself on being a good judge of fairly unknown musical talent such as Delbert McClinton and Susan Tedschi, but they can't hold a candle to Lyle Lovett.

Everyone one loves "Been to Memphis", "Church", and "North Dakota", but my favorite song BY FAR on this CD is "Since the Last Time". This song is so heart felt and real, you can feel his emotions as they ooze from the speakers. It makes you smile, cry, and reflect in 7 minutes. I just told my wife that when I die (in 40 years or more) she is to play this song at my memorial service.

His word smithing is incredible. Are there any lyrics that have ever been better than:

"He's got church on Sunday

And he got drunk the night before

And he got his good gal when he got home

The preacher said he wants some

more of that"

and:

"To the Lord let praises be

It's time for dinner now let's go eat

We've got some beans and good cornbread

Now listen to what the preacher said

He said to the Lord let praises be

It's time for dinner now let's go eat"

and:

"I ask her come here baby

She tells me no, no

I ask her drive me here

She tells me drive your own

She likes to race my motor

Then slam my hood

She makes me feel good

She makes me feel good"

If you don't have this CD waste no more time and buy it. It will quickly be your favorite.

If you are lucky or blessed enough to own a surround system with full range speakers all-around then you are in for a treat. The DTS encoded version of Judges, Joshua, Ruth is a must have for anyone who appreciates tasteful use of the surround channels. On 'Church' the chorus rises from the background behind you with the realistic effect of being in church with the choir up in the balcony. You do not have to be a Lyle Lovett fan to appreciate the wonderful sonics and precise imaging and placement of instruments inherent in this recording. I wasn't a fan of Lyle's until I listened to 'She's Already Made Up Her Mind'. This beautiful recording contains some of the deepest, clearest bass notes of anything I've heard. Not the kind of bloated noise heard in rap songs, but the kind of mournful , smooth notes that portend ominous events. Bass that is so well integrated into the rest of the mix that you sometimes don't even realize it's existence because it does not overwhelm the midrange as is often the case with bass laden performances. Believe me, if you don't make an emotional connection with the music while listening to this recording - you're already dead! Make sure your sub woofer can handle frequencies below 35Hz for best effects.

Besides the terrific sonics, the song writing is top notch. These are not lyrics that leave you wondering what is meant. They are lyrics about everyday life from being hungry because the church service is a little long to love lost and funerals. Some witty and some sorrowful but all demonstrations of how simple notions are the stuff of our lives.

If you are trying to decide on a Lyle Lovett album this is the one you can't miss with. You will like it, your friends will like it or more likely love it. I have tried others but so far none come close to Joshua Judges Ruth. There isn't a flat or awkward spot on this mood inducing masterpiece. It will bring to mind memories and take you good places over and over again. Some albums like Paul Simon's Graceland just come together as a perfect package. This is one of them. If you play music at work this is one everyone enjoys. I bought two copies this year for friends just because I knew they would enjoy it. I am sure I have never done that before. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.