August 14, 2006
Lyle Lovett Diagnosed With Ryanadamsitis!!
Posted by James Goodfellow at August 14, 2006 10:34 PMOk, so maybe the title was a bit of stretch. Lyle Lovett has not been held up in Manhattan's Chelsea hotel for weeks on end, nor has he just completed his 15th album of the month. He has, however, just cancelled his entire UK tour, reminding me of another recent slight to our brothers and sisters across the pond.
With all do respect to the former Mr. Roberts (and I really do have a tremendous amount of respect for Lyle Lovett), no ear cysts or strange infections were blamed. Instead, Lyle told the Toronto Star that the promo agency pulled the plug due to slow ticket sales. However, he will continue with his US tour through September. So, if you're in London now and just can't seem to get over the loss, feel free to ditch your deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, and any other potentially explosive liquids and hop a flight on over. Here's where you can catch his upcoming US shows.
Dammit, this does NOT bode well for my ongoing campaign to get Lyle Lovett (my secret husband) to tour in Asia.
Posted by: stacy at August 15, 2006 2:10 AMHmm, catchy title, but yes, a bit of a stretch.
You've heard the phrase "Don't Mess with Texas?"
Well, I don't care as much about Texas, but in my book its "Don't Mess with Lyle." ;-) (Cause in some circles Lyle = Texas.)
I'm more concerned about the "slow ticket sales." Put another album out, Lyle!
Posted by: larry at August 15, 2006 9:20 AMYeah, I'd like to see another good disc from Lyle but it appears he has slipped into the Randy Newman/ Phil Collins-bad movie soundtrack genre. It's been a while since he had a decent release.
Hipster -- WHAT? Them's fightin' words, dude! I got four words for ya -- "My Baby Don't Tolerate". Hells yeah!
Posted by: larry at August 15, 2006 12:02 PMBut yes, he has done a little *too* many movie soundtracks lately. Ick.
Posted by: larry at August 15, 2006 12:02 PMSlow ticket sales all over - the Chixie Dicks have had to scale back as well. Now there's a loss to Western Culture, for sure. Though I must admit they look hot in black.
Posted by: Jim Pipkin at August 15, 2006 12:27 PMGranted, "My Baby" was a needed comeback but perhaps he set the bar too high with his first two releases.
Posted by: aging hipster at August 15, 2006 8:12 PMI'm gonna say it, even if it is *almost* talking bad about Lyle, my secret husband: I thought "My Baby Don't Tolerate" was ... meh. The good songs ("Election Day," "You Were Always There," "Working Too Hard") are sublime, but the others, well, to me they ranged from forgettable to not-so-good. I'm ready for another album for sure, a good 'n' solid one.
That said, I'd buy the shit out of some Lyle Lovett tickets if only he was touring in Japan. :(
Posted by: stacy at August 15, 2006 9:20 PMI was all fired up and ready to go see Lyle when he came through Knoxville in September... until I saw the ticket prices. $44 for the cheap seats! I dig Lyle and his large band, but I just couldn't swing it. Maybe they should consider *why* the ticket sales are slow and take it down a notch...
Posted by: Valerie at August 15, 2006 9:26 PMThat's a really good point. He's worth every dime, but those who aren't already rabid fans might not know that, and thus won't become rabid fans because they won't shell out to see him live. I say the promoters (or whoever sets ticket prices) should be fired, because my baby don't tolerate! (sorry, sorry ...)
Posted by: stacy at August 16, 2006 2:15 AMTrouble is, folks want a $50 show for $20. Charity only goes so far when you're trying to feed a whole band. Better to stay home than disappoint - or go in the hole for a tour.
Posted by: Jim Pipkin at August 16, 2006 2:26 AMThe other option is to put on a $20 show for $20. I know Lyle can do it. I saw him with just John Hagen on cello backing him over 10 years ago. Just the two of them and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen.
BUT if you can consistently deliver a $15 show for $20, you won't wind up eating cat food!
Posted by: Jim Pipkin at August 17, 2006 12:12 AMWe saw Lyle with John Hiatt, Guy Clarke and Joe Ely at the Ryman in Nashville for less than it cost us to see Lyle with his band at Wolf Trap in Va. (and, frankly, for less than it costs to see Hiatt in Va.). The shows were radically different, of course, but they were both worth the money paid each time. It's all relative.
Posted by: Sharon at August 17, 2006 3:02 PMBe cool to catch Lyle at the Ryman. I like that place, pews and all.
Posted by: Jim Pipkin at August 17, 2006 5:28 PM
