A month on from being in the Lone Star State and "That's right you're not from Texas" is chugging from the Crossroads stage in Byron Shire. One of Houston's more celebrated citizens has followed me home. It was Lyle Lovett twice in one week as I caught his two and half hour Sydney show at the State Thearte and then at the 21st Bluesfest. Both shows enhanced his mana in my mind.
I was tremendously impressed by his interaction with his acoustic band. The Sydney show allowed him to relate good humoured stories about their connections and contribution to his music. Sublime vocal harmonies equalled with beautiful musicianship... John Hagen on cello and master fiddle player Luka Bulla. This all added up a rich musical experience, rather than man with guitar in front of a band.
It's great how he can gallop through various styles, bluegrass, blues, jazz and country... but it's slower brooding songs that really connect. Lyle is similar to Van in that he knows how to use the silence, the space between, to deliver powerful soundscapes.
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