Lyle Lovett
Step Inside This House
MCA

Let's forget for a moment that I'm a big Lyle Lovett fan. Maybe fan isn't the right word, so much as -- oh, what the hell! You've dragged it out of me -- I'm in love with the man! I love all his albums, and most of his songs. But when I heard his newest collection wasn't even made up of his songs, I was a little concerned. In this two-disc set, he pays homage to Texas songwriters such as Guy Clark, Walter Hyatt and good buddy Robert Earl Keen. He also covers a few by the late Townes Van Zandt.

I was wrong to be worried. I remember one of my colleagues remarking how impressed he was that Lyle managed to take these songs and not make them sound country. Although some of them tend to lean toward the traditional side, his voice, never twangy, keeps them listenable. The overall blend of the album is more that of a folk collection. Lyle makes each song sound like his own. I have several favorites, but none make me scratch my head trying to figure out why he chose it for this project.

The first song on the first CD is "Bears." It's getting all the airplay, and I'm not sure why. It's a great tune, but not as rich as many others on the album. The title track, "Step Inside This House" seems more meaningful, though not as up-tempo. The most beautiful track of the collection is "If I Needed You," by Townes Van Zandt. This song is classic Lyle, reminiscent of some of his earlier offerings.

I am admittedly biased, but if you're a Lyle fan, you won't be disappointed. If you just like good music, the result will be the same.

-Kate Rice

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