12th of June

by Lyle Lovett

Overview

Lyle Lovett names 12th of June, his first album in a decade, after the 2017 day when he became a father of twins. New parenthood is a large factor in the long gap between 12th of June and Release Me, the 2012 album that wrapped up his lengthy contract with Curb Records, curbing the productivity of a songwriter who already moved at an exacting pace. Don't expect 12th of June to be a clearinghouse for new tunes, either. Lovett approached the album as a vehicle to reintroduce himself and his Large Band to the world at large, so it mirrors not only his live show but such earlier albums as, say, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band. There's a hopping instrumental jump blues opener, then a bit of mischief -- in this case, "Pants Is Overrated," an observation he gleaned from watching his two toddlers cavort in their diapers -- before settling into astutely chosen jazz and blues standards punctuated by plaintive Texan balladeering and the occasional clever original. It's a familiar formula, but it works, possibly because absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder: it's simply a pleasure to hear a new Lyle Lovett album after ten years. There's also a slightly bittersweet air to the record's genial vibe, an emotion that floats to the top on its nakedly sincere title track and exists below the surface on Lovett's sublime duets with longtime vocal sparring partner Francine Reed on "Peel Me a Grape" and "Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You." These tunes were centerpieces on latter-day set lists by the Large Band and, as Reed has decided to retire as of 2022, it makes sense that they're preserved here; it's a tribute to a vocalist who has been an integral part of Lovett's music through the decades. Based upon a surface spin to 12th of June, it's difficult to discern those passing years -- on a superficial level, it could've been released any time after 1989's His Large Band, as it follows its blueprint to a tee -- but a close listen reveals these subtle nods to shifting times, which is enough to make this a nourishing experience in addition to an outright good time. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	05/13/2022
Label:	Verve
UPC:	0602445651337

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lyle Lovett   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Charles Rose   Trombone,Horn
Jason Eskridge   Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Dean Parks   Guitar (Steel),Guitar (Electric)
Sam Bush   Vocals,Mandolin,Vocal Harmony
Matt Rollings   Piano
Mace Hibbard   Clarinet,Sax (Tenor)
Stuart Duncan   Fiddle
Bryan Sutton   Guitar (Acoustic)
Arnold McCuller   Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Brad Leali   Sax (Alto)
Lamont Van Hook   Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Charlie Bisharat   Violin
Viktor Krauss   Bass
Luke Bulla   Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Jim Cox   Bass,Organ,Piano,Conductor,Keyboards
Ray Herndon   Vocals,Slide Guitar,Vocal Harmony,Guitar (Electric)
Willie Greene   Vocals
Matthew Rollings   Piano
Luanne Homzy   Violin
Willie Greene, Jr.   Vocal Harmony
Zach Dellinger   Viola
Steve Herrmann   Trumpet
Jacob Braun   Cello
Paul Franklin   Guitar (Steel)
Keith Sewell   Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Francine Reed   Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Russ Kunkel   Drums

Technical Credits

Charles Rose   Arranger,Adaptation,Horn Arrangements
Horace Silver   Composer
Rob Mounsey   Horn Arrangements
Nat King Cole   Composer
Dave Frishberg   Composer
Don Redman   Composer
Jim Cox   Arranger,Orchestration,String Arrangements
Chandler Harrod   Assistant Engineer
Ivy Skoff   Production Coordination
Steven Marsh   Horn Arrangements
Tim Stedman   Design,Art Direction
Michael Wilson   Photography
David Frishberg   Composer
Spencer Clark   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Joseph Holquin   Assistant Engineer
Benjamin Dreyer   Copy Editing
Steve Marsh   Horn Arrangements
Andy Razaf   Composer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Irving Mills   Composer
Chuck Ainlay   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Recording
Francine Reed   Duet
Lyle Lovett   Composer,Producer