Musical Monday: Long Tall Texan

Of course, the final version is my favorite, but I find it fascinating how a song like this can span so many decades and genres.   Give each version 30 seconds or so (if you can't tolerate all 4 in their entirety) but listen to Lyle's version all the way through! 

Should I or Shouldn't I?

Last night my husband returned from Columbus only to tell me that Lyle Lovett will be performing in San Antonio on October 14. We've been waiting for him to perform there, because we want to visit San Antonio's River Walk, the Alamo, etc.

So here's the deal...we have a dinner party already scheduled for the 13th, so we would leave Sunday AM the 14th, attend the concert that evening, sight-see Monday AM and return Monday PM.

It's a very irrational thing to do...and I told Steve, "Thanks, but we shouldn't." Now, I'm second guessing myself! Soooo.........I'm taking a poll!! Should we go to San Antonio or not? The poll is found in the upper left-hand corner of this blog page.

Anyone care to join us? :)

It's Not Big, It's Large

This is the title of my favorite musician's new release!

In spite of those who insist on labeling him "country," the reality is that much of the music performed by Lyle Lovett and His Large Band draws heavily from the blues, jazz, swing, and big band styles. Apparently, this has lead many to mistakenly call them the "Big Band." The album's title is his witty attempt to correct this.

I acquired the album today and listened all the way through a couple of times. My first take: It's Not Great, It's Good. The tone is rather somber...or maybe it's just subdued...I'm not sure.

Highlights include "No Big Deal," "Don't Cry a Tear," the acoustic version of "Up in Indiana" and, of course, the opener "Tickle Toe" which is the only piece that showcases the Large Band. I also enjoyed "South Texas Girl" which features another favorite of mine, Guy Clark. My early favorite: "All Downhill" a catchy little tune, that I interpret as a lighthearted ditty about turning 50. [him, not me :)]

I've been the whole world 'round

I've been up and I've been down

I've been good and I've been bad

Mostly...I've been bad.

I've had an excellent time so far

There's only one thing that I fear

I've been up so long on this lucky star

It could be all downhill from here.

I'm sure the songs I wasn't crazy about will grow on me...he's had very few over the years that I haven't come to like.

I had the great fun of watching Lyle perform from the 6th row at a small St. Louis venue called the Roberts Orpheum Theater, where I celebrated my 40th birthday. Lovett conveys a humble, unassuming charm. He is not a showman, but a great singer-songwriter who has judiciously surrounded himself with vocalists and instrumentalists who are keen masters of their craft. His esteem for them was obvious by his gracious acknowledgements which surpassed the usual obligatory nod that a band receives from a "star" musician. The other cool thing is that the whole band dresses in black suits and ties, which communicates class as well as respect for the audience and the art. Definitely NOT country! (Not that there's anything wrong with country...Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw or Steve Holy in small doses is quite tolerable, right DK?)

For a REAL - and profusely positive - review of the new release, check out this article at Pop Matters.

If you have not yet experienced Lyle, begin with "Lyle Lovett and His Large Band," a 1989 release...move onto "Smile," a compilation of jazz tunes he recorded for movies...then check out his rockabilly/gospel album, "My Baby Don't Tolerate." "Step Inside This House" is essential. Although the songs are not his own, but those of other Texas singer-songwriters including Townes VanZandt & Guy Clark, it is excellent...very folksy.

Alright, already! Enough about Lyle...ENJOY!

Sophisticated Redneck

If a whole new category of home decorating can combine the terms "shabby" and "chic," then surely I can create a new personality blend of "sophisticated" and "redneck." I like to think of myself as moderately dignified with a sense of class and decorum - I like posh food, deep red wine, a well-formed sentence, jazz, G.K. Chesterton, and crisp white linens...how much classier can you get than that?

And yet, as the refined and prescient philosopher, Lyle Lovett, once crooned:

"Redneckness has got to be a disease,

you catch it on your fingers

and it just crawls right up your sleeve."

He's right. I know when and where I caught it. My brother-in-law races cars down in Lebanon, Mizzourah, and a while back we went to watch him...you know, sort of an obligatory-familial-duty-thing. As I walked into this place, I had already determined what kind of people these fans were, and if my nose wasn't stuck in the "I'm-SO-better-than-you" position externally, it certainly was ever-so-slightly stuck up internally. And that little voice in my head (remember...the snobby one I've told you about) called them "yay-hoos" "oakies" "hicks" and any other derogatory term that sprang to mind. We stood and saluted the flag as we sang the national anthem, then bowed our heads for corporate prayer...add "cheesy" to that list.

Then something strange happened. A little old pot-bellied man in a glorified deer-stand proclaimed with his disctinctive southern-Missouri twang, "Gentlemen, start your engines!" I have never been the same...the roar of those engines vibrated to the very core of my being, and that which I previously regarded with utmost scorn, suddenly became alive, exciting, even irresistible! I envisioned a career change - myself behind the wheel - I do LUV speed, afterall. I was a fan...immediately...united with the whole redneck host surrounding me!

In some ways this became a defining moment...I have learned to indulge that side of me that loves bluegrass, shooting guns and the occasional Marlboro...I sometimes even listen to 92.3 WIL!! But, please, don't judge me too harshly - at least not until you've experienced your own personal NASCAR!