Although I’ve always been associated with country music my musical tastes are eclectic and over the years as a musician I’ve played in rock, pop, folk, country and trad jazz bands.
As I’ve often mentioned before the possibility is that country music is the one and only genre that envelops all genres in one package.
With that in mind it is good to know that I’m in real good company when it comes to the similiar tastes of an artist called Lyle Lovett.
His first self titled album gave the country fan a wake up call as to whether or not he could be pigeonholed as a ‘true’ country artist as the album contained country sounds mixed with folk intonations and a different style of prose.
Add to that a voice that was of a style and phrasing not heard before and many queried his sound.
They were the unlucky ones, as over the years Lyle Lovett has provided the musical world with a fresh and unique style of music from his initial music through blues to big band and now, to what I would consider one of his best releases with a new offering entitled ‘Natural Forces’.
If you mix a traditional country sound with a touch of bluegrass along with a tongue in cheek sense of humour, then you get an idea of what is to follow.
From the opening title track I knew I was about to be entertained, and from then on I was not disappointed as he takes a musical route through almost all the genres already mentioned excepting perhaps trad jazz.
His first single release from the album called “Pantry’ is an albsolute belter with a great bluegrassy (‘Oh Brother Where Art Thou’ )feel to it, and just for added value the track repeats as an acoustic version as the last track.
This is not only an album for the country fan but it is an album for anyone who appreciates good music.
For me it is a musical treat that offers new sounds every time you take another listen to it and to be honest there are not many that offer you that added bonus these days.It’s available from October 19th …just ask for Lyle Lovett at his best. Lyle Lovett Natural Forces Humphead Records Hump 068S
STAR RATING 9/10
