TCCDM Pulls One Out: "Lyle Lovett" - Lyle Lovett (1986)
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"Lyle Lovett" - Lyle Lovett (1986)
"Closing time. Unplug them people." I've been a fan of Lyle Lovett ever since watching him on Austin City Limits. As I recall, he performed several songs from this album. He had the audience in his back pocket. I also remember watching a clip of him performing at a small summer outdoor get-together, before his name meant anything, where some people half-listen and the other half do whatever. It reminded me of doing comedy at nowhere bars where they kept the TV on while you're trying to get some laughs. You just keep doing what you set out to do, telling yourself somebody's listening. And that's just what Lovett did. Sang his songs like he's selling fresh butter for hot biscuits. His debut album sounds a lot like that. Even when his tongue is firmly in cheek, we still hear echoes of truth. Drop the needle at the end of a long day, and it's a deep sigh.
Lyle Lovett from Klein, Texas, was initially thrown under the country genre bus, but that's not where he's really at. Lovett is a singer-songwriter in the same lanes as Townes Van Zandt or Lucinda Williams, or maybe Guy Clark, who adds a kind word or two on the back cover. The music gets close from time to time, but never lingers for too long as it teases us with folk rock, jazz dustings, traditional swing, and indeed, some country dabblings, but all with a unique and curious GPS route. As for this album, the songs tell you everything you need to know about this crazy-cool, hair-flair troubadour. Released in 1986, his debut album has only improved.
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"Lyle Lovett" - Lyle Lovett (back)
Favorites include:
"Closing Time"
"This Old Porch"
"If I Were The Man You Wanted"
"The Waltzing Fool"
My copy is an Album Club Edition on the MCA/Curb Records label. The front cover had the initials "JT" marked out in trapezoid fashion, but the vinyl had been well cared for. It was in a bin along with mostly Country albums, and I took it home for an Abe. The square sounds really clean and rich. I found out later this can go for a little bit of money, so that's cool.
Lyle Lovett has gone on to record twelve albums along with dozens of acting gigs for television and films. And yeah, Lyle Lovett has received dozens of Grammy nominations and even won a few. One in particular was Best Country Album for his 1996 gem "The Road to Ensenada," and still not available on vinyl! Even with all the accolades, radio will never be accused of over-selling the guy. Whaddyagonnado? In the meantime, this is a good one to pick up for a little something different.
MCA Records / CURB Records label
Cat #
MCA-5748 / MCA 5440 / MCA 5615
SIDE A DEADWAX
R133603A 1 A1C 1
SIDE B DEADWAX
R133603B 2 1
"Closing Time" - Lyle Lovett / "Lyle Lovett" (1986)
TRACKS:
A1 "Cowboy Man" 2:48
A2 "God Will" 2:13
A3 "Farther Down The Line" 3:05
A4 "This Old Porch" 4:16
A5 "Why I Don't Know" 2:41
B1 "If I Were The Man You Wanted" 3:57
B2 "You Can't Resist It" 3:08
B3 "The Waltzing Fool" 3:49
B4 "An Acceptable Level Of Ecstasy (The Wedding Song)" 3:30
B5 "Closing Time" 3:43
PERSONNEL:
Lyle Lovett - vocals, acoustic guitar; b-vocals (B2)
Ray Herndon - electric rhythm guitar, electric lead guitar (A3, A5), b-vocals
Tom Mortensen - steel guitar
Billy Williams - electric lead guitar; saxophone arrangements
Vince Gill - electric rhythm guitar (B2)
Jon Goin - electric rhythm, lead guitars (B2)
Mac McAnally - acoustic lead guitar (A2, A3, B1)
Mathew McKenzie - bass
Emory Gordy Jr. - bass (A3)
Mark Prentice - organ; piano (A2, A3)
Matt Rollings - acoustic & electric piano
John Jarvis - synthesizer (B2)
Jeff Borree - drums
Bob Warren - drums (A3, A4, B4)
James Gilmer - congas
Glen Duncan - fiddle
Steve Marsh - saxophones
J. David Sloan - b-vocals
Rosanne Cash - b-vocals (B2)
Francine Reed - b-vocals (B4)
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