Lyle Lovett: Live In Texas : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

When Lyle Lovett and his Large Band was released ten years ago, it was a characteristically eccentric decision. And as this live album demonstrates, it generated a style of music -- part Western swing, part retro-elegance, part grandeur for the hell of it -- that perfectly suited him. Now, of course, the swing revival has brought big bands back into fashion, and with this release Lovett can be seen as chasing a trend that only recently caught up with him. Too bad, because Live in Texas is a fine tour through Lovett's career. The eighteen-piece combo burns at full steam on songs like "That's Right (You're Not From Texas)" and "M-O-N-E-Y," while softer numbers like "North Dakota" (sung with Rickie Lee Jones) and "Closing Time" receive more delicate treatments and are not overwhelmed. Live in Texas, then, is a rare combination of subtlety and sly fun, traits that, whether they're in style or not, are never in short supply when Lovett's around.