Lyle Lovett came to Celtic Connections a changed man, with the unexpected joys of late fatherhood on his lips. His seven-year-old twins have even ‘co-written’ some of his newest material, leading to arguably the one song in this delightful set which didn’t land. Hearing musicians of the calibre of Stuart Duncan and Jeff White harmonising on ‘It’s A Naked Party’ was a touch uncomfortable. Otherwise, they aced the bluegrass blend and country call-and-response tradition with such natural ease that the Royal Concert Hall auditorium was transported to some 1940s radio broadcast in the Deep South or back to the old country on a cover of The Chieftains’ ‘Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down’. 

Lovett is not just an understated master of the old-timey style, he’s a gruff yet vulnerable romantic troubadour, evoking both Tom Waits and Randy Newman on gnarled ballads ‘Nobody Knows Me’ and ‘Are We Dancing’, while deploying his vocal-fry register on the bluesy strut of ‘She’s No Lady’. The pert western swing of ‘Cowboy Man’ and reflective ‘If I Had A Boat’ sounded 40 years young. ‘We’re not old, we’re experienced,’ he deadpanned.

Such is Lovett’s mischievous drollery that even the most halting anecdote had charm. But his dapper band also shared the limelight with veteran session bassist Leland Sklar attracting his own fanbase, while a deft virtuoso piano solo by Jim Cox was received with rapt attention onstage as much as off. A communal chemistry made this gig sheer pleasure with Lovett’s low-key charisma making it an occasion. 

Lyle Lovett And His Acoustic Group reviewed at Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, as part of Celtic Connections.