I'm loving Lyle Lovett and his Large Band's latest...

Over the years I've become acquainted with an array of excellent musicians from lots of different genres. As I've gotten older, I'm finding myself drawn more and more to music I "hated" as a kid. You know, styles that weren't considered cool or, let's be honest, stuff I just hadn't been exposed to and didn't want to try. Lyle Lovett is one of those musicians who probably would have been very uncool when I was younger. He has a funny look and an unconventional sound that doesn't really fit comfortably in just one genre. Lots of people think of Lovett as a country singer and his music does contain elements of country. But it also contains elements of jazz, big band, bluegrass, blues, and even rock and roll. And now that I'm older and wiser and think for myself, I've decided that Lyle Lovett and his Large Band are very cool indeed.

It's Not Big It's Large is Lovett's most recent effort. I purchased the CD/DVD combination pack before I made the move to Germany. There's also a version that comes with just a CD for the tightwad set. I don't generally mind paying a few extra bucks for a DVD, though. Now that we're moving into our house, I've had the chance to check out Lovett's latest.

The CD portion of It's Not Big It's Large consists of twelve tracks which start with a bang with the first track, "Tickle Toe", the only track Lovett didn't write or have a hand in writing. This exciting instrumental is a fun mixture of jazz and big band with a little funky country guitar solo thrown in the middle. This is definitely not what I'd call country music. It's a marvelous demonstration of Lovett's unique style... sort of a melting pot of music. I love it!

"I Will Rise Up/Ain't No More Cane" is definitely a switch of gears. This song starts with a fuzzy, dreamy electric guitar solo that reminds me a little of Jimi Hendrix at first. Then Lovett starts to sing and the song takes on the prison work song sound that it was intended to have. This song evokes a powerful mood as Lovett sings lyrics about a man who rises up against adversity. A choir of Lovett's best back up singers offer a response to his powerful lead. "I Will Rise Up" is Lovett's own creation; he's married it with a powerful rendition of the traditional song, "Ain't No More Cane".

"All Downhill" changes things up again with a swanky country sound. At first blush, this song sounds like a typical country number laden with fiddle solos and steel guitar. But the lyrics are what really make this song stand out. Lyle Lovett has a reputation for singing and writing songs with quirky words... this song is a good example of that precedent as Lovett sings about how lucky he's been so far and he fears that it's all going to be "all downhill" from here.

Next is "Don't Cry A Tear", a sweet, whispery song with a melody played on an acoustic guitar that reminds me of a lullaby.

Lovett sings

Go if you must go
Turn if you must turn away
Don't cry a tear for me

Laugh if you can smile
Run if you're walking away
Don't cry a tear for me

Though I'm not sure what exactly Lovett is singing about, the lyrics suggest it's about being strong in the face of loss, whether it be due to death or separation. On the DVD, Lovett explains that the first time he played this song in public was at Hunter Thompson's memorial service.

"South Texas Girl" starts off with a warbled solo by Guy Clark who sings as he plays acoustic guitar. Then the song expands into a gentle, contemplative song... one of Lovett's trademark stories parlayed into a song. I like this song, but right about now I'm ready for something a little more upbeat.

"This Traveling Around" is another slow, contemplative song with an acoustic sound. Lovett sounds tired and world weary as he sings about how travel is exhausting, especially when there's no one special to welcome a traveller home. This song is sad with lyrics that all too many will be able to relate to. But the melody reminds me of something that might be sung around a campfire, with a story to go with it.

The first thumping beats of "Up In Indiana" promise a change of pace to something more upbeat and fun. On this song, Lovett sounds like the country musician that he's supposed to be. Again, the lyrics tell a story and in my mind, this one is told very cleverly. At first it seems like an upbeat love song, but paying closer attention it sounds like the words are about a guy who had sex with a girl who "looked all of twenty-two" and actually was younger. And now he's in jail in Indiana, doing time! Quirky lyrics paired with a fun arrangement make this song a winner in my book.

"The Alley Song" slows the tempo down again as the song leads off with Lovett singing, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. What impresses me most about this song is Lovett's intelligent lyrics. The words suggest a man who goes far from home to find his fortune. He runs into some problems along the way, gathers advice from those who have been there and done that... discovers that he's not as good as he thought he was and comes home again, confronted by home. This song features a pretty melody coupled with Lovett's trademark wisdom.

On "No Big Deal", Lovett shows off his jazzier, bluesy chops. I enjoy Lovett's country side, but it's his jazzy songs that really draw me in. Maybe it's because they tend to be more fun and feature lyrics that show off Lovett's unorthodox sense of humor. In any case, this song is about a guy who finds out his woman has blatantly cheated on him. He sings

You were down and dirty
He was tall and twenty-nine
And I am only disconcerted
Because you said you knew I wouldn't mind

But I still feel the feeling
Of how you telephoned me
And it may be no big deal to you
But it's a very big deal to me

The punchline comes at the end when Lovett suggests the cheating is payback for his own indiscretions.

"Make It Happy" is a rhythmic song that shows off yet another aspect of Lovett's musical personality. With a playful percussive beat, Lovett and his awesome backup singers tell the story of a guy who's really happy in love and having a great time. This song, like most of the others on this disc, was written by Lovett. Stylewise, it sounds like it came straight from New Orleans, reminding me of something Dr. John might record.

A very moving version of the traditional song, "Ain't No More Cane" starts with a stark fiddle solo by Stuart Duncan, joined by the legendary Jerry Douglas on dobro. It's here that Lovett's wonderful backup singers get to show off. Arnold McCuller, Jason Eskridge, Sweet Pea Atkinson, Harry Bowens, Francine Reed, Josef Powell, and Lamont Van Hook harmonize brilliantly together. I recognize Arnold McCuller's angelic tenor singing the first solo. This song always leaves me with a lump in my throat.

It's Not Big It's Large ends with an acoustic version of "Up In Indiana". This is basically an unplugged bluegrass version of the same song that appeared earlier. Lovett is joined by some great musicians, like Viktor Krauss, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Stuart Duncan, and Jerry Douglas. I think I like this version even better.

The DVD

The DVD that comes with It's Not Big It's Large runs for about an hour and shows the musicians practicing and producing the different songs that appear on the album. I find it so inspiring to watch really talented musicians working together to make beautiful sounds. It's well worth watching if you're a Lovett fan. Shoot, I admire a lot of the musicians in Lovett's band almost as much as I admire Lovett himself.

It's Not Big It's Large includes extensive liner notes with lyrics, pictures, and a listing of band members. To me, this album seems like it was made with a lot of love. The music certainly sounds like it was lovingly produced, but the accompanying DVD that shows the musicians at work really cements that impression for me. Watching the DVD makes me wish I'd pursued a music career.

Lyle Lovett's music isn't for everyone, but I sure love it. If you love it too, definitely buy this album. And if you have the means, spring for the DVD. I think it's worth it.