Lyle Lovett

[phorbesie]

Did any other O-towners go to this show on Saturday?

I got a surprise ticket and a gift of a Lyle Lovett CD on Friday. (Thanks Velvet!)

I have never listened to Lyle Lovett before, but I had a great time at the show. He was playing with 3 other guys, Guy Clark, John Hiatt, and Joe Ely. They all sat up on stage in a row, and took turns playing acoustic songs. We were in the 3rd row, great view!! And I was happy to be sitting right in front of Guy Clark, who turned out to be my favourite of the group. He had this cool cowboyness to him and his mouth lines were etched in a permanent frown. He played some great songs. John Hiatt also had great energy and a bit of a bluesy sound, I thought he was great too. Later on he started forgetting a lot of lyrics and laughing hysterically as he kept trying to pull it back together, but I guess that's what happens when you haven't played a song for a long time. They didn't have a setlist planned and would just choose a song as their turn came, sometimes based on whatever conversation had come up, or an audience request. At one point Hiatt mentioned Lyle's song 'Family Preserve' and Lyle told a story about it and corrected him on the title, which is actually Family Reserve, and then played it. It was a beautiful song.

I wasn't a big fan of Joe Ely but I did like the way he would sometimes play a little to accompany one of the other guys. I wish they had done more of that.

But I thought it was a great show!

We also went to the NAC on Friday to see the orchestra with Vadim Repin, a Russian violinist. He was really great too...especially the encore! It was the highlight! (If anyone went, what was that encore song? The name escapes me and is bugging me!)

[StoneMtn]

He is one of my favourite musicians. I love seeing him live.

That's great that you enjoyed yourself, and good for Velvet to bring you to that show as a "Newbie".

[Dr. J]

And I was happy to be sitting right in front of Guy Clark, who turned out to be my favourite of the group. He had this cool cowboyness to him and his mouth lines were etched in a permanent frown. He played some great songs.

Great songwriter. Never really got the recognition he deserved.

[timouse]

He is one of my favourite musicians. I love seeing him live.

That's great that you enjoyed yourself, and good for Velvet to bring you to that show as a "Newbie".

what he said

if you get a chance to see him with his "large band," go. for that matter, see him any time you can. i couldn't go to see this tour glad to hear you enjoyed yourself!

[Velvet]

I'm such a huge fan of Lyle, he makes me all wiggly inside. What a fucking voice that guy has, and his songcrafting is so brilliant I want to steal every single idea.

I love how he can sing a pretty or happy upbeat song, but with nasty, mean lyrics. He's a hero.

Twice I thought he was starting to play this tune:

God Will

Who keeps on trusting you

When you've been cheating

And spending your nights on the town

And who keeps on saying that he still wants you

When you're through running around

And who keeps on loving you

When you've been lying

Saying things ain't what they seem

God does

But I don't

God will

But I won't

And that's the difference

Between God and me

So who says he'll forgive you

And says that he'll miss you

And dream of your sweet memory

God does

But I don't

God will

But I won't

And that's the difference

Between God and me

Anyway, yeah, great show.

[Dr_Evil_Mouse]

You've just made me think of this one of his, Velvet (great tune to start a day to, to boot!) -

Church

I went to church last Sunday

So I could sing and pray

But something quite unusual

Happened on that day

Now church it started right on time

Just like it does without a doubt

And everything was all just fine

Except when it came time to let us out

You know the preacher he kept preaching

He told us I have one more thing to say

Children before you think of leaving

You better think about the Judgment Day

Now everyone got nervous

Because everyone was hungry too

And everyone was wondering

What was the next thing he would do

And the preacher he kept preaching

He said now I'll remind you if I may

You all better pay attention

Or I might decide to preach all day

And now everyone was getting so hungry

That the old ones started feeling ill

And the weak ones started passing out

And the young ones they could not sit still

And the preacher's voice rose higher

So I snuck up on the balcony

And I crept into the choir

And I begged them brothers, sisters, help me please

I said when I give you a signal

I said when I raise up my hand

Won't you please join with me together

And praise the Lord I have a plan

And the preacher he kept preaching

Long is the struggle, hard the fight

And I prayed, Father please forgive me

And then I stood up and with all my might

I sang

To the Lord let praises be

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

We've got some beans and some good cornbread

And I listened to what the preacher said

Now it's to the Lord let praises be

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

Yes and I did give a signal

Yes and I raised up my hands

And then joined with me the choir

Yes every woman, child, and man

They sang

To the Lord let praised be

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

We've got some beans and some good cornbread

And I've listened to what the preacher said

Now it's to the Lord let praises be

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

And the preacher he stopped preaching

And a hush the church did fill

And then a great white dove from up above

Landed on the window sill

And the dove flew down beside him

And a fork appeared right in his hand

And with everybody watching

The preacher ate that bird right there and then

And now everyone got really nervous

And the preacher he did start to glow

And as we watched in disbelief

These were the words he spoke

He said now Mama's in the kitchen

And she's been there all day

And I know she's cooking something good

So let's bow our heads and pray

And he sang

To the Lord let praises be

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

We've got some beans and some 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 the moral of this story

Children it is plain but true

God knows if a preacher preaches long enough

Even he'll get hungry too

And he'll sing

To the Lord let praises be

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

We've got some beans and some 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

[deranger]

They played TO in November and it kicked ass. Not sure why the one-off Canadian show now, but it's one of the few they're playing these last few days.

John Hiatt recently toured with the North Mississippi All Stars as his back-up band and recorded his last studio album Master of Disaster, with them as well.