Lyle Lovett ‘Pontiac’

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#1037 in the Series)  is Lyle Lovett, Pontiac

I was a music distributor in 1987 and was sitting at my desk when a Senior Vice President named Dennis Sinclair walked in and tossed “Pontiac” on my desk. He said, “Carta,check this out, This is all you. I think you’ll really like it.” Senior VPs always got their hands on the goodies first.

As I jumped in my Pontiac and headed on Route 83 southbound I popped the disc into the player. The first song I heard was “If I had a Boat” second up was “Give Me Back My Heart” then “I Loved You Yesterday” and on an on. OK, Lyle, you got me!

Other wonderful tracks include “She’s No Lady,” “M-O-N-E-Y” and “She’s Hot To Go.”

I loved the variety in Lovett’s songwriting. He can go from sweet ballad to some great up tempo shuffles.

This was not Lyle’s debut.  He released a self-titled album a year or so earlier but this was the album that introduced him to most audiophiles. Across the board, household name popularity would come in a few years with his Lyle Lovett and his Large Band album.  He of course remains one of the most unique artists on the planet.  He’s longevity and relevancy proves the poiny.

Give a listen for EmmyLou Harris on background vocals and Vince Gill on vocals and guitar. But also give a special listen for Francine Reed’s great vocal track on “She’s Hot To Go.” She really made this song.

On a personal note: “If I Had a Boat” was the favorite song of one of my closest friends Jim “Hoss” Gartland.’ He left us way before anyone should lose a friend like that. I can’t mention that song or hear that song without thinking of him. It proves that you can have a tear in your eye and a smile on your face at the same time.

— Larry Carta

Track listing

All songs written by Lyle Lovett

1. “If I Had a Boat” – 3:06
2. “Give Back My Heart” – 3:00
3. “I Loved You Yesterday” – 2:56
4. “Walk Through the Bottomland” – 4:11
5. “L.A. County” – 3:17
6. “She’s No Lady” – 3:13
7. “M-O-N-E-Y” – 3:15
8. “Black and Blue” – 3:58
9. “Simple Song” – 3:17
10. “Pontiac” – 2:24
11. “She’s Hot to Go” – 2:30

Personnel

• Lyle Lovett – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Producer
• Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
• Vince Gill – Guitar, Vocals
• John Hagen – Cello
• Emmylou Harris – Vocals
• Ray Herndon – Electric Guitar
• Simon Levy – Art Direction
• Steve Marsh – Saxophone
• Matt McKenzie – Bass
• Glenn Meadows – Mastering
• Edgar Meyer – Bass, Double Bass
• Peter Nash – Photography
• Willie Pevear – Engineer
• Francine Reed – Vocals
• Matt Rollings – Synthesizer, Piano
• J. David Sloan – Vocals,
• Harry Stinson – Drums