Career
His music has been widely distributed since his debut on the eponymous Bourgeois Tagg album in 1986, and is known for his work as composer and bandleader for the Superbad soundtrack. In 1987, Bourgeois Tagg recorded the record "Yoyo" with esteemed producer Todd Rundgren. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100.
A shimmering, melancholy ballad of resignation, the song"s catchy melody, offbeat rhythm, and dramatic use of strings has been said to be reminiscent of classic Beatles songs such as "Yesterday" and especially "Across the Universe." Although the single just briefly made the Top 40 in the United States, it was a Top Five hit on the Adult Contemporary chart, and a major hit worldwide.
Its success was fueled by an innovative video that received heavy airplay on Music Television and other music video outlets. In 1992-1993 Workman was recruited to play guitar (along with Jon Brion) on Jellyfish"s critically acclaimed second album Spilt Milk.
He contributed on guitar and other instruments on several other soundtracks. His work on the Superbad soundtrack has earned critical acclaim.
Workman released his first instrumental "solo" album, Purple Passages, in 1996, and was well reviewed among musicians with XTC"s Dave Gregory calling Workman "a musician of consummate skill, creativity and taste".
His second solo album, Tabula Rasa (2001), has also received rave reviews. "Harmonic Crusader" was released in 2009. Workman is also known to Todd Rundgren fans as the lead guitarist on Rundgren"s albums Nearly Human and 2nd Wind and the ensuing tours.
Beck"s live audiences saw Workman perform as the lead guitarist on Beck"s Midnight Vultures tours from 1999 to 2001, and Workman toured with Sting on 2006"s Broken Music Tour, and performed with him at Live 8.
Lyle Workman is also known for collaborating with Chad Fischer, the frontman of the American alternative rock band Lazlo Bane. Workman has co-written with Fischer two songs, "Buttercup" and "View From The Pavement", and played guitar on the band"s debut album 11 Transistor.
Later, Workman collaborated with Fischer again, co-writing and performing the song "Miserable Life" for the film Little Manhattan. He has also worked extensively with Frank Black recording and touring, appearing on the records Teenager of the Year, The Cult of Ray, Frank Black and The Catholics, Oddballs and is credited with "arranged by" cr on several songs on 2006"s Fast Manitoba Raider Manitoba
Lyle has worked as a studio musician in Los Angeles on many rock and popular albums with artists Michael Buble, Sarah McLachlan, Ziggy Marley, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow, Shakira, and They Might Be Giants to name a few.
As a producer, Workman is credited on Dutch singer "Ilse DeLange"s record Incredible which, in the Netherlands, featured several number one singles and multi-platinum sales. Workman produced DeLange"s record "Next To Maine" released in September 2010.