John Lyle

Surrey, BC

http://radio3.cbc.ca/bands/JOHN-LYLE

Genres: Folk, Pop Singer Songwriter
Website:
Email: penjon@shaw.ca
Label: Cactus Records

“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......... 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'...........'Wonderful, odd genius...I hate to think what they'd find if they opened up his head'-American comedian Heywood Banks............'Super, passionate stuff!' Mark Smith