…and His Large Band – Lyle Lovett (1989)
The AllMusic review of Lyle Lovett’s third album, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, describes the record as a spectacular way to burn bridges to the traditional country and western establishment.
Indeed, if his previous effort, Pontiac, hadn’t made it clear that Lovett was as interested in gospel and jazz as country, this record surely drove that point home.
Opening with ‘The Blues Walk,’ an up-tempo jazz instrumental that shows off every member of the titular band and seguing into a full side of smoky jazz-band balladry, you’d never guess this was a country album.
Until side two began, that is: ‘I Married Her Just Because She Looks Like You’ is followed by a deadpan rendition of ‘Stand By Your Man’ (which was used beautifully in the film The Crying Game, incidentally). The rest of side two follows suit, with traditional country styles replacing the jazz influences of side one.
It’s a schizoid approach that probably shouldn’t work as well as it does. I’m definitely a bigger fan of side one than side two, but only because those songs are among the finest Lovett has ever written or performed. The whole record somehow feels of a piece despite its fractured nature.
I believe Lovett topped this album with The Road to Ensenada (which placed a bit higher on my 90s list than this one does here) but it’s a close race with no loser.
I’m the guy who sits next to you
And reads the newspaper over your shoulder
Wait
Don’t turn the page
I’m not finished
Life is so uncertain
Here I am
Yes it’s me
Take my hand
And you’ll see
Here I am
Yes it’s true
All I want
Girl is you
Given that true intellectual and emotional compatability
Are at the very least difficult
If not impossible to come by
We could always opt for the more temporal gratification
Of sheer physical attraction
That wouldn’t make you a shallow person
Would it
Here I am
Yes it’s me
Take my hand
And you’ll see
Here I am
Yes it’s true
All I want
Girl is you
If Ford is to Chevrolet
What Dodge is to Chrysler
What Corn Flakes are to Post Toasties
What the clear blue sky is to the deep blue sea
What Hank Williams is to Neil Armstrong
Can you doubt we were made for each other
Here I am
Yes it’s me
Take my hand
And you’ll see
Here I am
Yes it’s true
All I want
Girl is you
Look
I understand too little too late
I realize there are things you say and do
You can never take back
But what would you be if you didn’t even try
You have to try
So after a lot of thought
I’d like to reconsider
Please
If it’s not too late
Make it a cheeseburger
Here I am
Yes it’s me
Take my hand
And you’ll see
Here I am
Yes it’s true
All I want
Girl is you
Meet Me In Montauk 
I agree with all you have said. Side one of this album is Lyle at his best. In fact, if you take the most country songs out of Pontiac and Large Band, I believe you would have one of the finest collection of songs ever recorded by any artist.
Perhaps Ensenada ranks higher because it is less schizophrenic than Large Band–with the jazz/blues/gospel less jazz/blues/gospel-ish, and the country tempered as well. But, for my money, the jazz and blues songs on Large Band stand out as some of the best songs he has ever done.
I just love his sense of humor; great song.
Yes, indeed. His sense of humor is the thing I love most about him. I will never forget the experience of being in the room when he performed this song live. The anticipation of every last line was palpable…. with everyone ready to delve into “… that wouldn’t make you a shallow person,… would it?” as soon as Lyle gave the cue. Sheer musical bliss. I love the whole album, despite the fact that the individual country tunes might not be my cup of tea if performed by another artist. In the context of this album, they are just perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing.