Originally published in The
Aquarian Weekly
Lyle Lovett/It’s
Not Big It’s Large/
Lost Highway
Lyle Lovett is the
rare artist
who can work in a
variety of
styles and make them
coalesce
in a satisfying
manner. On his
13th album, Lovett
once again
steps over genre lines
time after
time, and creates his
best work
since the classic “Step
Inside
This
House.” The sound is
primarily country, but there
are
forays into big band,
swing, gospel, jazz,
blues, and
folk as well.
The album’s
centerpiece is
“South Texas Girl,”
a wistful look
at childhood memories
in the
harsh light of adult
realities. “The
Alley Song”
poignantly explores
the idea that the past
is never
far behind.
Lovett will make you
smile,
and break your heart,
sometimes in the same song.
He has earned his
place in the
line of great American
songwriters.
In A Word:
Grade: B+
—by Ken Shane