Review and Photos by: James Pappaconstantine
Show Photos are HERE
When you hear the name Lyle Lovett, the first thing you might thing of is country music, well after you think of Julia Roberts, who Lyle was married to for a couple of years. But the fact is Lyle’s music is much more than country. Lyle’s music is the perfect marriage of folk, country, blues and gospel, and he delivered all with a passion this night.
Along side Lyle was John Hiatt. Who’s style of music is much like Lyle’s. John started out as a songwriter for the Tree-Music Publishing Company in Nashville, TN. When he was 18 years old. John received a record deal in 1973 and continues to write and release albums today.
Going into this show, I must admit I was a little bummed to find out that it was a board shoot. (This means that instead of being able to take photos from the foot of the stage, I am stuck shooting from behind the soundboard) Board shoots are rarely fun, as you don’t get the up-close and personal shots, you’d get otherwise. Add to this the type of show, ie: two guys sitting in chairs playing acoustic guitars with mic. Stands obscuring their faces most of the time. So looking at the photographs one might think it a pretty boring show, but I assure you it was everything but.
The show started with both artists walking on stage, Lyle still wearing a lobster bib he got with his dinner. (curiously of Maine Lobster Direct) After taking their seats John asked, “Lyle, Did you forget something?” Lyle jokingly buttoned his jacket and said, “I hate it when I forget to tuck in my tie.”
The show continued with each of them taking turns in the spot light singing and playing their songs, in-between which they took time to chat with each other, giving the audience a little taste of the true friendship and admiration the two have for each other and their combined body of work. Lovett joked with Hiatt, asking, “ Have you ever stolen anything bigger than something that would fit in your pocket?” John then told the story how in his younger days, when the world was simpler, people used to leave their keys in their cars and how he and his friends would often go joy riding. Hiatt in turn would poke fun of Lovett’s tuning, asking, “Are you looking for the string that is out of tune so you can tune all the others to it?” Lyle and John were just two friends, hanging out playing music together and those in attendance were lucky enough to be invited to hang out with them. Throughout the show the two played requests shouted out by the audience.
The sound was incredible; you could hear every note and nuance. My hats off to the sound engineer.
Highlights for me were Lyle playing Michael Franks’ hit song, White Man Lost in the Blues and his song Church. Then there was Hiatt playing, Perfectly Good Guitar and Crossing Muddy Waters.
I got to chat briefly with Lyle after the show and I can tell you first hand the guy is a true country gentleman.
Lyle Lovett / John Hiatt – Merrill Auditorium, Portland, ME
