LYLE LOVETT, Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater, Deer Valley, Thursday.
DEER VALLEY — Really, is it possible for Lyle Lovett to have a bad show?
The long tall Texan and his Large Band played before a large crowd Thursday night at Deer Valley. As with all his shows, Lovett's unique blend of country, blues, gospel, swing, jazz — and even rock — came off as outstanding in concert and left the crowd wanting more.
Dressed in a light-colored gray suit and tie, Lovett started the show on a mellow note with three songs with minimal accompaniment before bringing out all of his band and throwing the show into high gear with the swinging sounds of "That's Right (You're Not From Texas)."
The swing groove continued with the crowd favorite "Penguins" and the country-rock of "Cute as a Bug."
As the sun started to set, Lovett talked about how he and his band liked playing in the daylight. "It gives us the opportunity to watch and learn. We need all the education we can get."
What Lovett learned, he said before playing the bluesy "My Baby Don't Tolerate," was that the closest couples were all bonded together by the truist of emotions . . . fear.
The personable and always conversational Lovett said he was hopeful the HBO program "Big Love," about a polygamist family in Utah, would use his song "She's No Lady." "But it was written too much in the singular," he said before launching into the sing-along audience favorite.
Lovett's 14-piece band was stellar all night and shone bright with several solos.
Other highlights included the swinging "San Antonio Girl," crowd-pleaser "Here I Am," the gospel-blues sound of "Since The Last Time" and the booming voice of Francine Reed, taking over for "Wild Women Don't Get the Blues."
"This is such a beautiful spot," Lovett commented surveying the mountainous backdrop.
For many, the show simply wasn't long enough.
We'll just have to hope the Mr. Lovett makes a stop in Utah in annual tradition.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com