ALBUM: Lyle Lovett (1986); Pontiac (1988)
MVC Rating: Lovett 4.0/$$$; Pontiac, 4.0/$$$$
bought this debut album in my early Birmingham years. Probably because of lyrics like this: And this old porch is like a steaming greasy plate of enchiladas
With lots of cheese and onions
And a guacamole salad
And you can get them down at the LaSalle Hotel
Lovett went to Texas A&M just like my Dad.
Lovett loved cheese enchiladas just like Dad (who taught me to love them).
Lovett married Julia Roberts. Dad married Jo Ellen Oliver, beautiful women both. Dad stayed married.
Though I haven’t listened much lately I have this album and a couple Lovett CD’s. His song about church going on too long is a favorite.
Then there’s the ultimate cheating song ‘God Will.‘
So who says he'll forgive you
And says that he'll miss you
And dream of your sweet memory
God does
But I don't
God will
But I won't
And that's the difference
Between God and me
In the liner note the legendary Guy Clark wrote: “The first time I met Lyle I thought he was a French blues player. You can’t tell he’s Texan ’til you hear the songs. Then he’s so Texas he doesn’t have to say it.”
After publishing this and weeks later I discovered I had another vinyl Lyle Lovett album called Pontiac. It’s even better than the self-titled debut I reviewed here. HIghlights: “If I had a Boat,’ ‘She’s No Lady,’ and ‘Give me Back My Heart.’