Lyle Lovett - Release Me

Lyle Lovett – Release Me
2012, Lost Highway

In modern American music there are few singer/songwriter/musicians in a class with Lyle Lovett.  A jack-of-all trades musically, Lovett’s muse runs through the fertile grounds of rock, country, blues, gospel, jazz, bluegrass and folk, sometimes all within one song.  The four time GRAMMY award winner has had his share of chart success, but if you look at the list of people he’s collaborated with over the years you’ll have an idea of the sort of respect he has from his peers.  Names such as Randy Newman, Keb ‘Mo and Allison Krauss are but a few of the folks Lovett has worked with over the years.  This week Lovett released his 15^th album, Release Me, and continues to show why he is one of the finest working songwriters in the U.S., as well as one of the most nuanced interpreters or classic country music as well as standards.

Lovett kicks things off with delicious bluegrass instrumental ‘Garfield’s Blackberry Blossom”, showing off not only his chops a musician but also the deep talent of his backing band.   Lovett has never been afraid of letting his backing band shine for their own individual and collective talents.  “Release Me”, featuring K.D. Lang in a duet, will bend your ears a bit at first, but once you get accustomed to the harmonic scheme of the song you’ll never want to hear it any other way.  “White Boy Lost In The Blues” is a catchy, blues-tinged early rock n roll style number that you won’t be able to get out of your head.  The eminently listenable Kat Edmonson joins Lovett for a sparkling rendition of “Baby Its Cold Outside”.  The chemistry and blending of voices here is striking in intensity even amidst the tongue-in-cheek playfulness of the track.

“Understand You” is a moment of pure brilliance.  Lovett has a distinctive talent for translating these quiet, nuanced ballads and creating moments that transcend both music and the human heart.  “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” blends country, blues and rock in a somewhat mysterious take on the classic Chuck Berry-penned tune.  “Keep It Clean” is a wonderfully entertaining bit of ragtime country that will get stuck in your head and stay there.  “One Way Gal” is a working class paean to a good woman.  Lovett imbues this song with wonderful energy, driven by a guitar part that simply will not quit.  “Dress Of Laces” is a classic murder ballad with a twist; written by Saylor White and originally performed by Nanci Griffith.  Lovett breathes new life into a classic, if underappreciated song with a performance you won’t soon forget.

“The Girl With The Holiday Smile”, one of two Lovett originals, is a swinging country number that combines prostitution with the holiday season in entertaining fashion.  This is classic Lovett; well-written and musically superb, with that wonderfully warped wit of his in full effect.  The other original, “Night’s Lullaby” is an amazing country ballad; one that seemingly stops time while it unfurls.  “White Freightliner Blues”, on the other hand is raucous and fun – an instant party.  Lovett’s band is at the very top of their collective game here.  If you can sit/stand still through this number you’d better have someone check your pulse.

“Keep Us Steadfast” is a country/gospel hymn written in mixolydian style.  Lovett’s plaintive vocal line is perfect against the stripped-down beauty of the guitar-driven arrangement.  Kat Edmonson returns for “Christmas Time Is Here”, a quiet calm before the tempest of closing number. “Isn’t That So” finds Lovett up to his old tricks, creating a wonderfully blues-tinged country/pop take that is sure to become a fan favorite.

Release Me is one of those albums it takes a few listens to really dig into, but the time and effort are worthwhile.  Lyle Lovett is a consummate professional as a songwriter and performer, and Release Me is evidence of an artist who is thoroughly in his element.  While the album might run a bit short on original tunes, it once again shows that when it comes to interpreting and performing songs from the American songbook, there are those in the field with similar talents, but nobody puts it all together the way Lyle Lovett does.  Release Me is utterly brilliant.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Lyle Lovett at www.lylelovett.com.  You can purchase Release Me there, or through the links below.

            CD                          MP3                       Vinyl                       iTunes

Please note that the Amazon.com prices listed above are as of the posting date, and may have changed. Wildy's World is not responsible for price changes instituted by Amazon.com.

Keb Mo - The Reflection

Keb Mo - The Reflection
2011, Yolabelle International/Rykodisc

When you are near the peak of your profession there's little impetus to change.  This fact about humanity and human tendency is hard to ignore.  Yet evolution is essential to the artist, as inspiration and creativity thrive on the new.  No one could fault Keb Mo for sticking with what has worked for him for so long.  Having won three GRAMMY Awards for Best Contemporary Blues Album, Keb Mo has established himself as one of the Mo’st dynamic blues musicians working today.  But since his last album in 2006, Keb Mo’s life has been about transitions (new family, new hometown, new label).  It was inevitable that a new musical direction would follow.  Keb Mo recently released his newest album, The Reflection, an amalgam of all of his influences from across his career, displayed in twelve fresh and modern pop, blues and R&B songs that display the same subtlety and songwriting grace that has characterized Keb Mo’s work thus far in his illustrious career.

The Reflection opens with "The Whole Enchilada", a blend of funk, pop and R&B that shows big pop sensibility and substance.  The song is a challenge to a friend to be a stand-up man in a relationship.  The message carries a universal appeal, and is punctuated by Keb Mo’s pervasively subtle guitar work.  "Inside Outside" is a catchy funked-up bit of modern blues.  Keb Mo never seems to make a bad musical choice; never a bad note or uncomfortable transition in this amalgam of musical perfection (if such there be).  "All The Way" is a swaying R&B love song with a light, lazy feel to the melody.  Keb Mo sews it all together so nary a seam is visible.

"The Reflection" is a gentle R&B ballad that's perfect for Adult Contemporary radio.  Don't be surprised if this song breaks out both there and in pop and urban formats.  At the very least it's the sort of song that will be featured on soundtracks for romantic comedies several times over the coming years.  "Crush On You" is a solid commercial ballad that is best noted for the vocal mix between Keb' Mo and guest India.Arie.  Keb Mo goes down tempo on the blues/pop/AC blend of "My Baby's Tellin' Lies"; an amusing song about a dysfunctional relationship that works.  Just like the narrator, you won't be able to walk away from this one.  Vince Gill sits in here.  Jazz and R&B mix on the impressive story-song "My Shadow".  Keb Mo’s sound here shadows the early Jazz-phase sound of Sting, using great imagery to tell a story about how a woman can come between friends.

"We Don't Need It" starts out as a modern tragedy when a family bread-winner loses his job.  The brilliance here is in the way the family pulls together, discarding things that are unimportant for the sake of each other.  "We Don't Need It" is Mo’st impressive in that imparts a wonderful message that's poignant for the day without sounding preachy.  Perseverance and blessings abound in an amazing bit of songwriting.  "Just Lookin" is a wonderfully funky potential hit about misunderstood intentions.  Keb Mo shows incredible pop sensibility here, as well as the sort of subtle touch on guitar you might expect from Mark Knopfler.  The Reflection closes with "Something Within", a solid tune with baggage that seems somehow out of place here. 

Keb Mo might have thrown long time fans something of a curve with The Reflection, but it's a knockout curve that's impressive on many levels.  The songwriting here ranges from mildly above average to utterly brilliant, trending toward the latter.  Keb Mo’s presence as a performer comes through even on CD, and his subtle guitar work is ingenious.  Keb Mo plays the guitar as if he was born with it in his hands.  Even the few mundane moments on The Reflection are worth spending some time on, but at his best, Keb Mo performs at a level that few can attain.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Keb Mo at http://www.kebmo.com/ or www.facebook.com/kebmomusic.  The Reflection is available from Amazon.com as a CD, Download, or Deluxe Download.  iTunes also offers standard and deluxe downloads of the album.