Customer Reviews

American in Texas Revisited

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I ran a music club in South Carolina around 1980 and it was my pleasure, over the holidays, to welcome these Spartanburg natives home. The most original, enlightening, and diverse music on the planet. Walter's incomparable lyrics, Champ's phenomenal guitar, and David's lyrics and bass were just...the best. Were the Carolina years the apex? No. Talking with Champ between sets behind the 'Black Cat' in Austin, Texas was...well, hell, these are just the best origional songwriters and musicians in the business. I will miss Walter.

Since first hearing Uncle Walt's Band at Austin's Waterloo Ice House in the mid-seventies I have been a fan. The CD is full a songs from the heart; moving and inspirational. Motor City Man is a song about a blue collar father and is one of Walter Hyatt's best. . His D'jango Rheinhart style weaves throughout the album as does the classic acoustic mastery of Champ Hood's guitar and the tenor of David Ball. Champ Hood, Walter Hyatt and David Ball make up an incredible vocal trio. An older recording (probably from mid to late 70's) it is a rare glimpse of three artists that moved many during that period and also who went on to create music individually. If you are a fan of Austin music this is a must. David Ball has had a successful solo country music career and Champ Hood has played with every name Austin artist around. This band (which broke up in the 80's) was a treasure, as was Walter Hyatt who died a few years ago. "King Tears" one of his solo albums is also a must buy. Great music...

Uncle Walt's Band is one of the finest vocal trios that I have ever heard. They wrote diverse songs, were consummate musicians, and had amazing three-part harmony. It is hard to believe that they were not more commercially successful for their music is far superb to other country/pop groups of their era. It is sad that Walter Hyatt was killed in a plane crash, for this group could still be performing and releasing recorded music that would please and entertain music fans that appreciate quality music

With only a couple of their best tunes on this album, it's only part of the collection you would want if you're a true Uncle Walt's Band fan.
With their great mixture of swing, blues and country, you can see how they fit right in in Texas, land of Bob Wills and Lyle Lovett.
Walter Hyatt, David Ball and Champ Hood each had distinctive voices that blended amazingly in their tight vocal arrangements. And the playing is equally impressive. At times, they seem one step away from Django Reinhardt, other times one step away from Willie Nelson.
An American In Texas, like any of Uncle Walt's Band albums, fills an empty space in your collection you may not have realized was there.
And with their music so hard to find these days (don't even bother looking on iTunes), if you can find any of their CDs, snatch them up!