Lyle....

I have previously blogged about Jonathan Coulton.  An underappreciated genius. 

I'm doing a different one today.

Today I'd like to talk about the man-crush that I have on Lyle Lovett. 

My infatuation with him started, of all places, with his appearance in the film "The Player."   I kept turning to my wife-at-the-time and saying, "Lyle is the coolest man on the planet."  I already owned "Joshua Judges Ruth," and owned and had seen him perform on Letterman his version of "Friend of the Devil" from the "Deadicated" tribute disc.  That wasn't enough for me.  Seeing him slowly stalk Tim Robbins in an almost Michael Myers type fashion tipped the scales for me.

Not exactly Redford.

Look.  He's unattractive physically.  He doesn't deny it. 

He's also incredibly witty, certifiably humble, and has one of the most beautifully pure singing voices around.  His songs are funny, heartbreaking, winsome, innocent and decidedly jaded all at once.  He covers such brilliant works as "Step Inside This House" with so much achingly pure.....drama....that it's impossible not to believe that he is totally immersed in the moment.  

Anyway.  I see Lyle just about every time he comes to town.  I also make sure I sit up close.  I've seen his two man acoustic show with John Hiatt two or three times.  It is, by far, one my favorite shows I've seen.  Two guys, three guitars, two chairs, two tables, two microphones, the gorgeous Rialto Square Theatre and a whole lot of great music.  Here's a clip from one of those shows with the song "God Will," one of my favorite Lyle lyrics.  Notice Hiatt.  He hears this song every time they play this show.  Yet, he still smiles at the chorus.  Maybe that's showbiz, but he looks genuinely amused by the lyric.  Again. 

Lyle and John

God Will

Who keeps on trusting you
When you've been cheating
And spending your nights on the town?
And who keeps on saying that he still wants you
When you're through running around?
And who keeps on loving you
When you've been lying
Saying things ain't what they seem?

God does,
But I don't.
God will,
But I won't.

And that's the difference
Between God and me.

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.