CD’S, VINYL & DOWNLOADS
Uncle Walt’s Band An American in Texas (Omnivore) I am happy to say that I was
fortunate enough to catch these guys several times back during the beginning of their careers here in Spartanburg,
SC. David Ball, Walter Hyatt and Champ Hood truly made a name for themselves after relocating to Austin, Texas. This is a reissue of their classic sophomore release, available now on vinyl LP, CD and digital download. Following on the heels of last year’s an-
thology, Those Boys from Carolina, They Sure Could Sing and then a reissue of their eponymous 1975 debut, An American in Texas gets the atten- tion it so richly deserves, nearly 40 years after its original release, with an expanded 25-track album that includes the original album as well as the eight tracks from their cassette only release Six, Twenty Six, Seventy Nine, along with five previously unreleased live and studio tracks. The package contains photos and new liner
notes from Austin writer Rush Evans III, detail- ing the band’s rise to the top. The singing is top flight, as is the picking on great songs like “As the Crow Flies,” “Green Trees,” “Bluebird,” and “Walking Angel.” This one is a sheer joy, and one of the finest Americana re- leases of the year.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
David Ball Thinkin’ Problem: 25th Anniversary Edition (Omnivore) My home town of Spartan-
burg, SC is getting quite a tip of the hat lately, especially
from the fine folks at Omnivore music. Besides reissuing the excellent catalog of Uncle Walt’s Band, they have reissued the fine debut solo album from former Uncle Walt’s member, David Ball. David came on the scene in a big way in
1994, after moving to Nashville in the 1980s and releasing a few singles on RCA Records. After switching to Warner Brothers records, Ball burned up the charts during the summer of ’94 with the single “Thinkin’ Problem,” making it all the way to the #2 position, held from #1 only by Alan Jackson’s remake of “Summertime Blues.” The 25th Anniversary edition of the album con- tains the original 10 tracks along with eight previ- ously unreleased tracks that include an alternate version of the hit single as well as an updated “What Do You Want with His Love.” The booklet features many never before seen photographs. Thinkin’ Problem also included another
top Ten single, “When the Thought of You Catches Up with Me” and the Top 40 hit, “Look What Followed Me Home.” The album sparked even more single releases, including “Honky Tonk Healin’” and “What Do You Want with His Love.”
1995 was a huge year for David Ball. He
was nominated for Grammy award for Best Coun- try Male Vocal Performance and was also nomi- nated for the CMA Best New Artist and Song of the Year. Ball also won a Grammy for his work on the Stephen Foster tribute, Beautiful Dreamer. By 2005, Ball had again changed labels,
going with Dualtone Records who released his album Amigo that included his hit, “Riding with Private Malone,” which peeked at #2 on the charts. Today, Ball continues to tour, as well as performing in tribute to Uncle Walt’s Band along with the sons of Champ Hoot and Walter Hyatt. Thinkin’ Problem was a huge country LP,
and the reissue is as fresh as it was back in 1994. With the bonus tracks, this one is a “must have” for true country fans.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
The Beatles Abbey Road Super Deluxe 50th Anniversary Edition (Capitol) The Beatles’ Abbey Road
album is back with a great 50th
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