Lyle Lovett Album: “Lyle Lovett And His Large Band”

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.