Live music review: Texas legend Lyle Lovett played Beaumont’s Jefferson Theatre
The Jefferson Theatre was privileged to host Lyle Lovett and His Acoustic Group on February 10. The theatre, located in Beaumont, Texas is designated a Texas Historical Landmark and it’s listed on The National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1927, the storied venue features an 8-Rack Morgan Organ. The Jefferson once hosted the premiere of classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” with star Jimmy Stewart and director Frank Capra in attendance. It was the perfect place to host an equally storied Texas musician.
The Jefferson was closed from 1972 through 1997 with the exception of a handful of special events. It is now restored to its former glory which brings us to the performance in question, Lyle Lovett’s recent gig there earlier this month.
Lovett is one of those Texas songwriters I cannot seem to get enough of, no matter how many times I see him perform. This marks my seventh concert featuring the talented Texan, although it was the first time seeing Lovett’s Acoustic Group.
Lovett in recent years has taken to not only touring with his legendary “Large Band” (it’s just what it sounds like… a large band of top notch performers with horns, strings, and the ability to properly cover any genre the multi-talented singer/songwriter chose to include in the setlist). This time Lovett’s show was “in the round.” The show included guest performers and an acoustic band behind them. I was so excited (normally I’m a calm dude) I could hardly sit still in my seat.
Lovett never disappoints. He is a master songwriter and storyteller. Perhaps the most unassuming man to ever achieve fame and worldwide success. The man is humble and appears to truly enjoy his time on stage. In earnest, he thanks the audience and his fellow musicians, as if still slightly amazed anyone would come to hear him sing and play. The humility Lovett displays is genuine and endearing.
He launched into familiar acoustic covers of his standards and well as new songs perhaps coming out on a new record that is yet to be announced. Lovett paused in between songs to tell a story filled with smart humor, embracing his slight stutter and quiet manner. His timing is perfect, the set up brilliant, and the punch line sneaks in unexpectedly. The songs? Oh boy, let me tell you.
As a singer/songwriter he embodies both aspects well. I’ve never heard a sour or off note come from the man. He brilliantly reworks songs he’s written and songs by others. He mastered a Guy Clark song called “Step Inside This House”, being the first song Guy ever wrote, and never recorded. His singing is as unique as his writing. Both disciplines in Lovett’s hands are indescribably Texan.
Most folks are surprised to learn that Lovett is a native Texan, growing up in Klein County, just north of Houston. He is more of a cowboy than any modern-day country singer you might see. He has actually competed in horse reining competitions. Lovett owns world-class quarter horses, and is considered an equine enthusiast. In 2018 he even was awarded the National Reining Horse Associations Lifetime Achievement Award.
Lovett cut his musical teeth playing one man acoustic shows in clubs, bars, and restaurants around College Station, Texas in the early 1980’s. Many casual fans actually know him from various film projects or his brief marriage to actress Julia Roberts, but he’s a musician first. The rest came much later.
Like most Texas music fans, I knew of Lyle Lovett, but it was not until mid 1998 that I really sat up and took notice. Three separate events came about which moved me closer to Lovett. The first was finding Willie Nelson album, Across The Border Line, where he covered two songs written by Lovett. I loved both songs “If I Were the Man She Wanted”, and “A Little Further Down the Road”. The second was seeing Lovett perform “The Tennessee Flat Top Box”, on a televised Tribute to Johnny Cash. Then, on VH1, where they use to play actual music back in the dark ages, was a segment called, “The 60 Second Song”. This edition featured Lyle playing a condensed version of his song “God Will”. This is a perfect song. I was delighted to hear it live as recent convert to the ways of Lovett.
To capture the essence of Lovett’s songwriting cannot be accomplished to perfection on his recordings, and I will fail here with only words to convey what I mean. Lyle Lovett is a Texas treasure who should be experienced live and in person. No matter how I tell you of his classic custom-tailored suits, custom made cowboy boots or the powerful resonance of is voice, you will not really be able to spiritually understand what Lovett means without witnessing his performance live.
The Acoustic Group provided a rich yet scaled back evening, focusing on fine performance and showcasing Lovett’s beautiful singing (he really has a great voice) and warm storytelling. Fans entered the concert alive and crisp with expectation, and left fully energized, with a feeling of spending time with old friends. It was, as if whatever fuels the soul is refilled while Lovett sings. Despite the disappointments of the world awaiting, he offers hope. Any world giving birth to a man like Lyle Lovett is,, has the potential to be as beautiful as his insightful turns of phrase and the gentle chords of his Collins Guitar.
At sixty-two Lyle sounds better than ever and shows no signs of slowing down. He is on tour with his Acoustic Group through March and then sets off on “Acoustic Evening, with John Hiatt” run. Of the seven concerts I’ve been privileged to see by Lovett, no two were just alike; no two lacked the passion and energy Lovett delivers. Each performance is a stand-alone experience beyond measure, for which I will be eternally grateful for.
The show set list was the same as the Huntingdon, Tennessee performance listed below with the exception of encore “Church” which was replaced by a request for “That’s Right, You’re Not From Texas.” Of course.
