The University at Buffalo Center for the Arts was the venue last Thursday, Lyle Lovett and Shawn Colvin were the artists. A single spotlight lit the stage, two chairs stood with four guitars along with Lyle Lovett’s usual cup of hot tea. The buzz in the air promised a magical evening with two great musicians. Lovett has toured with Colvin previously, also with John Hiatt. The format is simple. The two take turns singing and the other will occasionally join in as an accompanist. Lovett started with “Cowboy Man”, a country flavored tune made popular by his Large Band. Lovett has made a long career with witty and poignant lyrics and expert guitar playing. Being Texas-based, Lovett brings a rich mixture of southern life to his writing. Songs about lost loves, life on the road, and dealing with the problems that come with life in general are woven into a musical tapestry that he presents with skill. He has grown into a performer with a loyal following. Shawn Colvin is a long-time friend of Lovett. Her career has criss-crossed the globe for over 40 years. A three-time Grammy winner, she has a fiercely loyal fan base who came out in force to see her. Her first song was “Steady On” from the 1989 debut album of the same name. It is a reminder to herself to get out of a bad relationship and don’t look back. It is also a metaphor for her career. Colvin is an emotional storyteller whose songs look inside the mind of an intelligent, caring, and graceful woman.
Lovett’s next song was a tribute to his long-time friend, songwriter Townes Van Zandt. “If I Needed You” is a torchy love song to an unrequited love that comes to realize that she is wrong by staying away. Lovett’s songs often tell the story about the person who is out of the ordinary. “Give Back My Heart” is the perfect example. It is a fast paced tale of a tawdry woman who steals his heart and ruins his life. Delivered in Lovett’s classic dry-wit style, it is a crowd favorite. Lovett went on to play a variety of songs from his extensive playlist. Other favorites were “North Dakota”, She’s Already Made Up Her Mind”, ‘I’ve Been to Memphis” and “If I Had A Boat”. Colvin also served up some favorites of her own in “Summer Dress”, Killing The Blues”, “Diamond In The Rough” and “Ricochet In Time”.
One thing that stands out is the expert musicianship and command of the guitar that both these artists exhibit. Both Colvin and Lovett have a long history of success in the music business. Seeing the two together on the same stage and sharing their love of music and each other was both an indulgence and a lesson. The moral is that the music is the story and they tell it well, very well.
SETLIST
Cowboy Man (Lovett)
Steady On (Colvin)
If I Needed You (Townes Van Zandt song by Lovett)
Polaroids (Colvin)
Give Back My Heart (Lovett)
Wichita Skyline (Colvin)
Amarillo Highway (Terry Allen song by Lovett)
The Facts About Jimmy (Colvin)
She’s Already Made Up Her Mind (Lovett)
Summer Dress (Colvin)
This Old Porch (Lovett)
Red Dirt Girl (Colvin)
I’ve Been To Memphis (Lovett)
Killing The Blues (Colvin)
Fiona (Lovett)
Another Long One (Colvin)
North Dakota (Lovett)
These Four Walls (Colvin)
If A Had A Boat (Lovett)
Diamond In The Rough (Colvin)
ENCORE
Ricochet In Time (Colvin)
Sun and Moon and Stars (Lovett)
We would like to thank Olivia Surnow from ID-PR for the photo credentials.
