How Blue Can You Get?: Howard Tate and Lyle Lovett

Written By Reggie Morris

When we asked Lyle Lovett why he didn’t stick with journalism, he said “It’s hard to sing the newspaper.” From blues to country to Texas swing, Lyle and his large band can tell some good stories, and they’re not all about penguins. We’ll hear all about it (and more) when we sit down in conversation. Howard Tate is a master of soulful singing, bringing his bluesy touch and deep meaning to such classics as “Get it While You Can” and “Ain’t Nobody Home.” We’ll talk about his life in Philadelphia’s gospel and soul scenes, and his path back to the stage today.

HOUR ONE

Open Bed: Boot Heel Drag Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys
Legendary Masters, United Artists

Bring it on Down to My House, Honey Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
Legends of Country Music, Columbia

Pantry (Acoustic Version) Lyle Lovett
Natural Forces, Lost Highway

Fried Chicken Eden Brent
Mississippi Number One, Yellow Dog

Chicken Shack Boogie Amos Milburn
Essential Blues Piano, House of Blues

Instrumental: The Ma Grinder Robert Shaw
Essential Blues Piano, House of Blues

Ain't It Hard Mance Lipscomb
Texas Blues Guitar, Arhoolie

If I Needed You Townes Van Zandt
The Late Great Townes Van Zandt, Poppy

SEGMENT: Lyle Lovett

Instrumental: The Blues Walk Lyle Lovett
Lyle Lovett and his Large Band, Curb/MCA

Texas Woman Blues Taj Mahal
The Essential, Columbia

Honey Don't The Beatles
Beatles For Sale, EMI

I'm a King Bee Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones, abkco

Honey Bee Muddy Waters
More Real Folk Music, Chess

Buzzin' Fly Tim Buckley
Morning Glory: The Tim Buckley Anthology, Elektra

Wurlitzer Prize (I Don't Want To Get Over You) Nora Jones
Lonesome, On'ry and Mean: A Tribute to Waylon Jennings, Dualtone

End Bed: Tipitina Allen Toussaint
American Routes original recording

HOUR TWO

Village Blues John Coltrane
The Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings, Atlantic

Ain't That Loving You Baby Bettye LaVette
Change is Gonna Come Sessions, Anti

Ask Me Nice Mose Allison
The Way of the World, Anti

Up the Country Blues Sippie Wallace
Women Be Wise, Alligator

Your One and Only Tampa Red
The Bluebird Recordings: 1936-1938, RCA

Lost Love Blues Lefty Frizzell
Look What Thoughts Will Do, Columbia

Instrumental: Slim Jenkin's Place Booker T & MGs
The Complete Stax-Volt Singles, Atlantic

SEGMENT: Howard Tate

Happy-Go-Lucky Local (aka "Night Train") Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery
Jimmy & Wes: The Dynamic Duo, Verve

Instrumental: Peace in the Valley Rev. Lonnie Farris
Fire in My Bones, Tompkins Square

Crazy Mixed Up World Lil Walter
The Essential Little Walter, Chess

I'm a Little Mixed Up Betty James
Women Blues Singers 1928-1969, Geffen

Like a Rolling Stone Drive By Truckers
The Fine Print, New West

Gypsy Davy Woody Guthrie
My Dusty Road, Rounder

Tomorrow is a Long Time Sandy Denny
Sandy, Island

End Bed: Twilight Property Leo Kottke
Instrumentals: The Best of the Capitol Years, Blue Note

Reggie Morris