Various Artists: Return of the Grievous Angel (Almo)
The list is long and illustrious of those wishing to place offerings at this shrine to the late (1973) but still lamented Gram Parsons, the acknowledged spiritual father of alternative country. This tribute album clearly does not seek to dramatically reinterpret the awesome body of work Parsons squeezed into his 26 years; it is reasonably reverential and, more frequently than not, very good. The low points are the (predictably) Cowboy Junkies's dirge-like Ooh Las Vegas and (surprisingly) The Mavericks's ordinary Hot Burrito No 1. Against that there are wonderful performances by (among others) Lucinda Williams and David Crosby (Return of the Grievous Angel), Beck and Emmylou (Sin City), Evan Dando and Julianna Hatfield ($1,000 Wedding) and the Rolling Creekdippers - Victoria Williams et al - on the closing In My Hour of Darkness. Great stuff.
Joe Breen
Lyle Lovett: Live in Texas (MCA)
I have been lucky enough to see this wonderful Texan many times, including the 1995 tour during which this album was recorded in San Antonio and Austin. It was a brilliant show, with his Large Band full of verve and fun and the mordant Lovett content to let the music breathe and the players shine. Yet listening to this live recording, the sparkle is missing. Granted everyone is having fun, band and audience alike, but the tension and drama of the show doesn't translate effectively on to CD. Perhaps it is because the live performances are too faithful to the originals, or because you just simply had to be there. Whatever, it comes across as more workman-like than special, though I'm still looking forward to his Dublin show in the Olympia on September 29th next.
Joe Breen