nobody
07-31-2006, 08:26 AM
I’ve been enjoying the local Live on the Levee free concerts in St. Louis this year and this past weekend was no exception. Lyle Lovett played and I just figured I’d take the chance to tell anyone who has the chance to go see him live to make sure you don’t miss out. I’d have paid to see him, but getting a show lasting over two hours without a break for free was about as good as it gets…watching the show on the sticky banks of the Mississippi in the summer with barges rolling by in the background was just a bonus as were the post show fireworks.
Anyway, Lyle starts out with just him, his acoustic guitar and a cello player to begin the evening, and slowly pulls out additional musicians from his Large Band. First, another guitar comes out…then a bass player and drummer…then another percussionist and a steel guitar player…then a horn section…a piano player, and so on until the stage was full. He even had a top notch group of background singers that included a woman who stepped up front and dig a great version of I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl late in the show.
Musically, he and the band excelled in a wide range of styles, from straight up country, to blues , to gospel, and even an Irish tune, thanks to a fella from the Chieftains along for the ride. Hell, the cello solo later on leaned toward the avant classical side. These guys could all play and play damn near anything. I had to talk my non-fan wife into going with me with the promise of fireworks and having a few of her friends along, but by the time it was all over, the show had won her over. She was glad she came and was very impressed with the band. For a fan like me, it was simply fantastic.
OK…I do wish he’d have played She’s No Lady and a couple other songs, but he’s got a big catalog to go to these days and he hit plenty of highlights along the way. If you’re a fan at all and get the chance to see him live…don’t hesitate.
Next week its early 80s funk night with Morris Day & The Time opening for Cameo.
Anyway, Lyle starts out with just him, his acoustic guitar and a cello player to begin the evening, and slowly pulls out additional musicians from his Large Band. First, another guitar comes out…then a bass player and drummer…then another percussionist and a steel guitar player…then a horn section…a piano player, and so on until the stage was full. He even had a top notch group of background singers that included a woman who stepped up front and dig a great version of I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl late in the show.
Musically, he and the band excelled in a wide range of styles, from straight up country, to blues , to gospel, and even an Irish tune, thanks to a fella from the Chieftains along for the ride. Hell, the cello solo later on leaned toward the avant classical side. These guys could all play and play damn near anything. I had to talk my non-fan wife into going with me with the promise of fireworks and having a few of her friends along, but by the time it was all over, the show had won her over. She was glad she came and was very impressed with the band. For a fan like me, it was simply fantastic.
OK…I do wish he’d have played She’s No Lady and a couple other songs, but he’s got a big catalog to go to these days and he hit plenty of highlights along the way. If you’re a fan at all and get the chance to see him live…don’t hesitate.
Next week its early 80s funk night with Morris Day & The Time opening for Cameo.