Why is it that literary and musical artists seem to run out of steam at some point? A couple of weeks ago I listened to the new Lyle Lovett album. It's terrible. Maybe two decent songs and the rest is just blah.
It's not like he's putting out product too fast either. From 1986 to 1996, he released six albums of pretty good quality. The last of these six, "The Road to Ensanada," is probably my favorite. Since then he has released two albums of new original material: "My Baby Don't Tolerate" (2003) and the latest, "It's Not Big, It's Large" (2007). The former is a pretty good album, the latter is very disapointing.
So what happened? Did he forget how to write? Is he trying to do new things that just aren't working? Has comfort and success dulled the creativity gene? Or is it possible that there is only so much creativity in a person that runs out after so many songs or so much time? After all, it happens with athletes. The arm or legs can tolerate only so much mileage.
I'm not picking on Lyle; it happens with everyone. The Rolling Stones are still touring to big crowds, but face it, nobody goes to the show to hear the material from their newest stinky album; they're wanting to hear "Jumping Jack Flash" one more time. Jackson Browne is easily my favorite singer-songwriter ever, but his latest album is even worse than Lyle Lovett's; there is not a single song on it that I enjoyed.
Being able to continue to perform is not the same as being able to create new music. The former is one thing--when you can't sing or play anymore, the people stop coming. But when you can't create anymore, do you lose your relevance? I don't have a lot of answers, but I have a lot of questions.
Showing posts with label Lyle Lovett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lyle Lovett. Show all posts
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Form without Substance
One of my favorite musical artists is Lyle Lovett. He is a terrific songwriter, always puts together an incredible band, and just makes good music. His songwriting is inventive and quirky, some might even say a bit odd (imagine me liking something odd).
I have seen him play live twice in St. Louis on the banks of the Mississippi in the shadow of the Arch. Both shows were outstanding. Tina, who is not a fan, saw the 2006 concert with me and was blown away.
His 2004 appearance was supporting his 2003 album, "My Baby Don't Tolerate." This album closes with two gospel numbers and he closed the concert with them as well.
I do not know Lyle Lovett's heart or his relationship with God. He was raised Missouri-Synod Lutheran, but does not currently belong to that church. I am not being unfair to say that he has never made a statement that indicates a born-again experience. Some of the details of his life might also cause you doubt that he believes as evangelical Christians do.
But he does have an ear and a feel for gospel music or at least for black gospel. The two songs--"I'm Going to Wait" and "I'm Going to the Place"--are theologically sound. If a choir performed either one of these songs in your church next Sunday morning, you would be blessed by the music and the message.
But I remember being a little troubled by these two songs as I heard them live. It's not just that they were being sung by a guy who I wasn't sure what he believed about the message. Then it hit me. Both songs talk about heaven, God, my Father, my Savior. But there was no mention of Jesus.
You might think I am quibbling over some trivial point. I don't think so. Now each and every Christian song does not need to explicitly name the name of Jesus. But in the case of these two Lyle Lovett songs, I just felt as if the absence was telling. Salvation without sacrifice. God's love without a mediator. Heaven without a relationship with Jesus.
As Lyle wrapped up his show, this verse popped into my mind: "Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power" (2 Tim 3:5). It just seemed to me that these songs held out a vague belief in a universal salvation, but never examined that it is only by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross that buys that salvation. In our celebration of salvation, we must never forget how we get there.
Here is a Youtube clip of one of the songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k56DJuP4DXU
I have seen him play live twice in St. Louis on the banks of the Mississippi in the shadow of the Arch. Both shows were outstanding. Tina, who is not a fan, saw the 2006 concert with me and was blown away.
His 2004 appearance was supporting his 2003 album, "My Baby Don't Tolerate." This album closes with two gospel numbers and he closed the concert with them as well.
I do not know Lyle Lovett's heart or his relationship with God. He was raised Missouri-Synod Lutheran, but does not currently belong to that church. I am not being unfair to say that he has never made a statement that indicates a born-again experience. Some of the details of his life might also cause you doubt that he believes as evangelical Christians do.
But he does have an ear and a feel for gospel music or at least for black gospel. The two songs--"I'm Going to Wait" and "I'm Going to the Place"--are theologically sound. If a choir performed either one of these songs in your church next Sunday morning, you would be blessed by the music and the message.
But I remember being a little troubled by these two songs as I heard them live. It's not just that they were being sung by a guy who I wasn't sure what he believed about the message. Then it hit me. Both songs talk about heaven, God, my Father, my Savior. But there was no mention of Jesus.
You might think I am quibbling over some trivial point. I don't think so. Now each and every Christian song does not need to explicitly name the name of Jesus. But in the case of these two Lyle Lovett songs, I just felt as if the absence was telling. Salvation without sacrifice. God's love without a mediator. Heaven without a relationship with Jesus.
As Lyle wrapped up his show, this verse popped into my mind: "Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power" (2 Tim 3:5). It just seemed to me that these songs held out a vague belief in a universal salvation, but never examined that it is only by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross that buys that salvation. In our celebration of salvation, we must never forget how we get there.
Here is a Youtube clip of one of the songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k56DJuP4DXU
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