Lyle Lovett has persevered through some rough times during his long career, yet has always come through them to make wonderful music afterward. I’m not talking about his failed marriage to actress Julia Roberts, per se, but more his run-in 10 years ago with his uncle’s bull in Texas, which proceeded to break Lovett’s leg in 20 places and flip his uncle like a rag doll. But, Lovett doesn’t play many instruments with his southern limbs, so eventually he was good to go.
The fact is, while his music is uniquely stylized, Lovett was Americana before Americana music was cool. Usually, he tours with his popular Large Band. But, when he appears at the Taft Theater this week, he will be with his all-star Acoustic Group, playing cuts off his new album, Release Me, and more.
Lovett’s Acoustic Group is packed full of talent, beginning with legendary live and session drummer, Russ Kunkel. Kunkel has recorded with everybody from James Taylor and Joni Mitchell to Derek Trucks and B.B. King. Guitarist Keith Sewell is an in-demand session musician and producer who can play everything from Bluegrass to Jazz. On bass is an alumnus of Lovett’s Large Band, Viktor Krauss. And playing the fiddle is Luke Bulla, who just performed in Cincy with Noam Pikelny and Friends.
LYLE LOVETT AND HIS ACOUSTIC GROUP perform Thursday, May 9 at Taft Theatre downtown. Buy tickets, check out performance times and get venue details here.
