Lovett chooses well

The start for Lyle Lovett was not classic for the long, tall Texan. Lovett, 68, struck the first notes of a surprising cover of Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man" with a guttural, staccato delivery, which would last for a stretch. While this was not new for Lovett (he sounded this way just over two years ago while playing Boston with Lisa Loeb), it did seem more pronounced.

Lovett also may have been a bit under the weather as he periodically would drink something from a cup.

Eventually, though, Lovett would find his footing in a small club setting, the first of three shows here and part of a string of City Winery dates. Lovett may not have played in this small a venue since his area debut at the great, late Nightstage club in Cambridge in 1988, which Lovett nostalgically recalled.

Lovett played favorites from his catalogue ("L.A. County" sounded as good as ever) and more. Lovett tended to alternate between ballads and harder-edged songs, which served him well with his voice holding up on both.

Lovett into his Texas roots for a few covers. Chief among them was "Friend of the Devil," the Grateful Dead. Lovett related that Jerry Garcia specifically asked him to record the song for. 1991 Dead tribute album.

Lovett was accompanied by ace acoustic guitarist Jeff White, who also plays with Vince Gill. Lovett even gave him the spotlight on the bluesy "Blue Trail of Sorrow," a song cut by Alison Krauss + Union Station. James Harrah also helped out on sometimes atmospheric, sometimes twangy guitar.

Lovett certainly has never been a canned performer. He possesses a most wry sense of humor, which was on full display at varying points during the generous 130-minute show. He also was good to tell a story or three. He even let White have at it about selling his house.

Lovett could use some self-editing on occasion when telling a yarn. He went on for way too long about Rockefeller's, a club in Houston where he cut his teeth. Recalling a bunch of acts for whom he opened, Lovett simply waxed too long, often mentioning other artists that few in the crowd would have heard of. It just wasn't that interesting.

While Lovett took his time also in talking about his nine-year-old twins, who were with him in Boston (he acknowledged that he was a late starter to the parenting thing), the yarn played much better. This story turned into a funny vignette about his son accusing his daughter of thinking she knows everything. Looking upset at the comment, Lovett asked her if she was okay. The daughter responded "I'm thinking about what I don't know, and I can't think of anything" to laughter from the crowd.

That led to the title track of his latest album, "12th of June," the day his twins were born and an ode to them and his wife, April. With a solid vocal delivery, this was one of the highlights of the night.

Lovett ended with a flourish before the nearly sold-out crowd (they did pay a lot for the privilege. The website listed prices for the 300-person intimate club at $164) He reached into his catalogue for such chestnuts as his humorous, jazzy "She's No Lady," a tender delivery of "If I Had a Boat" before closing the regular set with "You Can't Resist It."

An appreciative Lovett returned, reaching way back to the appropriate choice of "Closing Time," a song from his self-titled record, out just over 40 years ago. It's about closing down a bar and sending people home, a fitting way to conclude night one. This may not have been vintage Lovett due to some vocal issues, but despite that, Lovett carried on with wit, charm and a wealth of catalogue (and covers) from which to choose. He chose well.