Lyle Lovett and his Large Band live at Wolf Trap review

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As a long-time fan of Lyle Lovett, I can honestly say that his performance at Wolf Trap‘s Filene Center was nothing short of magical. With his impeccable style and charm, he effortlessly captivated the audience with his wit, humor, and unparalleled musical talent.

As someone who has been in the music industry for decades, I must admit that it’s a tough and unpredictable world. My own journey was filled with countless hours of practice, rejection, and perseverance. With this in mind, when a young boy tells me he wants to be a musician, my heart swells with admiration for his ambition. However, I can’t help but feel a pang of concern as well. The music industry is fraught with competition, and the road to success is often long and arduous.

Lyle Lovett concluded his 17-song, hour-and-a-half performance at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center in Vienna, VA on Friday night with “If I Had a Boat,” which he had previously performed thirty times in Virginia. Previously, he might have been the opening act for artists like Merle Haggard or Reba McEntire; however, now, he is the headliner himself.

Following the band’s initial instrumental performance, Lovett gracefully strolled onto the stage, dressed sharply in his grey-blue suit. He then performed “Black and Blue” and later invited Willie Greene, Jr., Lamont Van Hook, and Washington, D.C.’s own Amy Keys to join him for a lively rendition of the popular hit “Church.”

Lyle Lovett peppers his live shows with wry, sardonic commentary with the timing of a stand-up comic

In his typical fashion, Lovett performed several tracks from his popular 1999 album “Live in Texas,” such as “Nobody Knows Me,” “She’s No Lady,” and “Here I Am,” as well as “Church” and “If I Had a Boat.” However, he also played three songs from his latest album, “12th of June.” Unfortunately, due to the time constraint at Wolf Trap, an encore wasn’t possible, preventing fans from hearing the title track from his recent release. Still, he delighted them with energetic renditions of “Pig Meat Man” and “Pants is Overrated,” and a beautiful performance of “Are We Dancing.”

Ever since I became a father, I’ve found myself opening up more during my live shows. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always had a knack for delivering witty, sarcastic remarks with the speed of a stand-up comedian. But lately, it seems like I’m sharing more anecdotes, some even involving my kids or reminiscing about the good old days. On Friday, I did just that before performing “Pig Meat Man,” mentioning that my son is quite the unique vegetarian who has a soft spot for salami.

I’ll share a tale about the beginnings of the Large Band, tracing back to serendipitous performances in Luxembourg years ago. I’ve known our current violinist, Warren Hood, since he was just seven, following his legendary father, Champ Hood, the renowned strings player. It all started with Billy Williams crafting horn arrangements for “I Know You Know.” We then took on a jazzy, bluesy rendition of that track from Lovett’s third album, dating back to 1989.

As a seasoned music enthusiast with over two decades of attending live performances under my belt, I have to say that The Large Band is one of the most impressive ensembles I’ve ever come across. With virtuosos hidden around every corner – from strings and horns to piano players – it seems like each member gets their chance to shine. Trombonist Charles Rose, who has been arranging the Large Band’s horns for three decades now, is a testament to the band’s rich history. Mace Hibbard, the saxophonist, may be a newer addition, but it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. The Large Band always manages to find the best talent, and that’s evident with their rhythm section consisting of Leland Sklar on bass and Russ Kunkel on drums. Any band would envy such a dynamic duo, whether they were large or small. In my experience, it’s these kinds of bands that truly make live music an unforgettable experience.

When the well-known band visits our city, they often bring an exciting support act to kick things off. In the past, we’ve seen Mavis Staples, the Howard University Gospel Choir, and even the National Symphony Orchestra perform as openers. This time around, it was the Preservation Hall Jazz Band who graced us with a taste of New Orleans in their forty-minute performance.

For several decades, just like Lovett, Preservation Hall has regularly performed at this venue. Bandleader Ben Jaffe remembers careening down Wolf Trap’s hills as a child, as his father Allan Jaffe would bring the band into town. Now he continues the legacy with an energetic rendition of “Tootie Ma Was a Big Fine Thing,” and the traditional finale, “When the Saints Go Marching In,” blended with “You Are My Sunshine.”

Later in the next month, The Large Band will shift to a swing tour across the Southeast, followed by Lovett performing with his smaller acoustic group.

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2024-08-11 13:00