Mostly me on vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards and percussion, with sterling help through the years from virtuoso guitarist, writer, singer John Murray.
Seven albums available on iTunes and CDBABY.COM -
KNOWN CORNERS (2007)
COOL FIRE (2005)
DOWN THE ROAD AND FAR AWAY (2002)
TOO LATE TO PANIC (2000)
BEAUTY LOOKS AWAY (1995)
HUMORS (1985)
BOOTLEG POWERHEAD (1971)
Plus two more that aren't yet available-
ALMOST LIKE FATE (1998)
HARD-COVER VIRGINS (1978)
Influences
STONES, BEATLES, DYLAN, BIBLE, SHAKESPEARE, COLE PORTER, IRVING BERLIN, FROST, AUDEN, FREDDIE GREEN, T. S. ELIOT, JAMES BURTON, JONI MITCHELL, NABOKOV,NISARGADATTA, JACKSON BROWNE, SHAWN COLVIN, DOSTOYEVSKY, JESSE COLIN YOUNG, MUDDY WATERS, ERIC CLAPTON, DION, JIM REEVES, RAMANA MAHARSHI, ROY ORBISON, LITTLE RICHARD, JOHNNY HORTON, PROUST, MARTY ROBBINS, FREUD, VINCE GILL, HENRY JAMES, ELVIS, CHUCK BERRY, HITCHCOCK, AMOS GARRET, JACK GALLAGHER, GLENN GOULD, RICKY NELSON, PRESTON STURGES, NEIL YOUNG, CARL JUNG, ARETHA, LEONARD COHEN, KRISHNAMURTI, LARRY DAVID, BRUCE COBURN, EAGLES, LOVIN’SPOONFUL, JOHN BRADSHAW, MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT
KNOWN CORNERS review-
“This is superb poetry. But, better than that, these are beautiful lyrics, meeting all of the rhythmic and melodic demands of the fine music against which they are set. The styles are varied, but have one thing in common- passionate performance. There is folk, an Irish ballad, soul, roadhouse blues, grindhouse rock, an acoustic instrumental; all built around Lyle’s sure-footed guitar and soulful vocals. ‘Known Corners’ is an album about loss, acceptance of loss and getting back to what you had before you had anything. This beautifully sequenced cd is not kid’s stuff. If you listen to this in the car, be prepared to pull over.” - Warner Morgan.........
Biography-
Headed for a career as an English professor in the mid 1960’s, John Lyle was ‘broadsided’ by Bob Dylan and The Beatles. His degree went out the window, and so did he, playing in a series of bands and then performing on Canadian network television and radio as a solo act. He was also signed to two record labels during this era, but realized that because of his highly sensitive nature he was not cut out for the performing life. John returned to his home in the Vancouver area, and devoted himself to his family, supporting them with a career that may have been more dangerous than the perfomance stage. He became a postman. John Lyle’s wonderful body of work is evidence of a life lived on the streets and in the home, filled with all the love and loss and joy and despair that are part and parcel of being alive. The songs are vital, not written to imitate a commercial trend or to fulfil a contract, but to reflect the intensity of experience and to remain sane..........
'John's songs are amazing!' Frazee Ford (The Be Good Tanyas)..........
'We love John Lyle. We listen to him all the time.' The Sumner Brothers..........
'There's lots of nice stuff on there!' Paul Rodgers (Bad Company; Free; Queen).........
‘Magnificent!’ Robert Altman..........
John Lyle will take you gently to your safe place, and then sneak up on you with a song as uncompromisingly ferocious as a grizzly in a maternity ward.’ Dennis Albo, in his reality novel ‘One Bullet Left'..........
'The James Joyce of folk.' Heywood Banks........
.'Super passionate stuff!' Mark Smith
Hey John, thanks for being friend #300. But you know, you'll always be more than just a number to us! Big chords you're playing .. reminds me of good things. Have a splendid time! Nick from Isherwood
Hey John...thanks for the add...I spent alot of time in BC in my early musical days...everytown from Vancouver to Abbotsford, Prince George to Fernie etc...you sound great by the way!! Daniel Mark Faller / Lewiston, Idaho
Yo John Lyle! It’s been too long. I still listen to your cd’s while I’m working. That new song ‘THEY STONED HER’ has got the spook. I know people don’t buy cd’s anymore, but if you do another one I’d love to do another cover for you! Nobody but me can match your primitve skills with my primitive skills! Keep your head up. Boy France
Thanks for the friend request! I can see from your influences we're going to be good friends in our music loves! I added a song of yours to my profile player, picked the one your partial to! will enjoy reading your blogs about your songs, I find that so interesting! Hope you check out the artists on my page, many great singer/songwriters there! your myspace music lovin' pal, Michele
Thank you so much for introducing me to your circle of friends.
I find your music to be enchantingly lovely, mellow, lyrically magical, compelling, fresh and original, something that I know will keep on drawing me back again and again. I can't thank you enough for seeking me out to share such joyous treasures, except to add bravo!!!
It's such a joy to see that we share so many mutual friends.
Wishing you happiness and tranquility in all things.
John, thank you for your kind words and for sharing yur music with me, welcome my friend! I..ll listen to your songs with time, but i like them in a particular way, you compose with your heart and that..s the most important thing to me! Congrats and we keep in touch! Greetings from Brasil! :o) Beth
