Recorded Live At Waterloo Ice House
Omnivore, 2021
9/10
Recorded Live At Waterloo Ice House
A late ‘70s and early ‘80s trio comprised of Walter Hyatt, Champ Hood and David Ball, Uncle Walt’s Band were legends in Austin, Texas during their heyday, and here we’re treated to 21 tracks from a 1982 set where their 3 part harmonies and jazz, bluegrass and pop influenced country sounds make it clear why they influenced legends like Lyle Lovett and Lucinda Williams.
“If I Don’t Stop Crying” starts the listen with plenty of vocal harmonies as careful, acoustic strumming and a bit of twang unfolds with a playful spirit, and “Mock, Mock, Mockingbird” follows with a quicker pace of folk like ideas, where some of the best singing on the record resides.
In the middle, “The More I See” flows with a rootsy flavor amid much beauty, while “Desiree” is an emotive and intimate display of dense bass and a very pretty landscape. “I’m Going To Break My Heart In Two”, one of the band’s best, then offers a country spirited duet that’s full of careful, rural picking.
Deeper still, “Lose My Baby” is a stylish plunge into retro rock’n’roll, and “Early Morning Love” exits the listen indeed on a romantic note where timeless songwriting is present and appreciated.
Originally released on their own label in 1982 with 14 tracks, on this package we’re given 7 songs from the original record, plus 4 previously unissued alternate takes, and 10 previously unissued performances. If some of these songs sound familiar to you, they should; turns out they’ve been adopted by many artists, which is a certainly a testament to the legacy that Uncle Walt’s Band left.
Travels well with: Steve Earle & The Dukes- Ghosts Of West Virginia; Erika Wennerstrom- Sweet Unknown