Notes & Personnel Info |  | Personnel includes: Lyle Lovett (vocals); Keb' Mo (acoustic guitar); Ray Herndon, Dave Hungate, John Tropea, Mark Goldenberg (guitar); Dean Parks (electric guitar); Larry Campbell (pedal steel); Yuri Vodovoz, Ann Leathers, Laura Hamilton Donna Tecco, Nancy McAlhany, Jan Mullen, Abe Appleman, A. Maura Giannini (violin); Crystal Garner, Susan Pray, Maryhelen, Ewing Brennand (viola); Andy Snitzer (alto saxophone); Plas Johhson, Kenneth Hitchcock, Dave Tofani (tenor saxophone); Mark Isham, James Hynes, Jeff Kievit (trumpet); Michael Davis (trombone); Randy Newman (piano, harmonium); Matt Rollings, George Duke (piano); John Leftwich, Viktor Krauss, Abraham Loboriel (bass); Russ Kunkel, Kenny Malone, John Ferarro, Shawn Pelton (drums); Vaneese Thomas, Tawatha Agee (background vocals). | | Producers include: Lyle Lovett, Billy Williams, Matt Rollings, Don Was, Mark Isham. | | Recorded at Conway Studios and Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, California; House Of Therm, Nashville, Tennessee; Avatar and Right Track Studios, New York, New York. | | Personnel: Francine Reed, William "Bill" Greene, Sir Harry Bowens, Sweet Pea Atkinson, Everett Drake (vocals); David Hungate, John Tropea, Mark Goldenberg, Pat Bergeson, Ray Herndon (guitar); Keb' Mo' (acoustic guitar); Dean Parks (electric guitar); Abe Appleman, Donna Tecco, Laura Hamilton, Gabe Witcher, Nancy McAlhany, Ann Leathers, Jan Mullen, Yuri Vodovoz (violin); Sue Pray, Crystal Garner (viola); Andy Snitzer, David Mann (alto saxophone); Kenneth Hitchcock, David Tofani, Plas Johnson , Lawrence Feldman (tenor saxophone); Roger Rosenberg (baritone saxophone); James Hynes, Jeff Kievit, Mark Isham (trumpet); Michael Davis (trombone); Randy Newman (piano, harmonium); George Duke, Joellen R. Friedkin, Matt Rollings, Rob Mounsey (piano); Steve Jordan , Laval Belle, Jim Keltner, Russ Kunkel, Shawn Pelton, Kenny Malone (drums); Cindy Mizelle, Tawatha Agee, Vaneese Thomas (background vocals). | | Audio Mixers: Allen Sides; Nathaniel Kunkel; Rik Pekkonen; Stephen Krause. | | Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY; Bismeaux Studios, Austin, TX; Conway Studios, Hollywood, CA; House Of Therm, Nashville, TN; Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, CA; Right Track Studios, New York, NY. | | Photographer: Michael Wilson . | | Arrangers: Mark Isham; Rob Mounsey. | | Since The Road to Ensenada in 1996, Lyle Lovett has released a collection of covers in 1998, a live album in 1999, a predominately instrumental soundtrack in 2000, and now, in 2003, Smile, a collection of songs he recorded for movie soundtracks between 1992 and 2002. None of these were on his official albums and none of them are originals (meaning that it's been nearly seven years since he's released a collection of new songs; this may or may not be a sign of writer's block). Most are covers of pop standards, with a couple of R&B and gospel standards thrown in for good measure (the one contemporary tune is "You've Got a Friend in Me," the Randy Newman duet from Toy Story). All are given perfectly tasteful, perfectly pleasant Large Band-styled arrangements; they're very faithful to the songs yet are styled to Lovett's idiosyncratic delivery. Overall, it's a nice listen and it's nice for collectors to get these all tunes in one place, but it's not essential and it's hard not to wish that Lovett would just finally do an album of new material already. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine | | By 2003, fans of Lyle Lovett had grown hungry for any offerings from their hero, as his last album of new material was 1996's THE ROAD TO ENSENADA. While awaiting the next batch of compositions from Lovett's witty pen, they'd been treated to a live album (LIVE IN TEXAS) and a double record featuring covers of tunes by other great Texan songwriters (STEP INSIDE THIS HOUSE). Taking a slighty different track, SMILE is a collection of songs the lanky Lovett recorded for various movie soundtracks over the previous 10 years or so. While Lovett obviously didn't pen such classics as "The Summer Wind," "Blue Skies," or the title track himself, he brings his signature laconic vocal style to the fore so convincingly that you'll find yourself campaigning for giving him honorary composer's credit. |
Engineer: Allen Sides; Nathaniel Kunkel; Rik Pekkonen; Rob Eaton; Stephen Krause |
Musical Guests | | George Duke | | Randy Newman | | Keb' Mo' |
|
CD
