Uncle Walt’s Band
Thought You’d Never Ask: The Complete 1975 Armadillo Records Recordings
Release date: November 1, 2024
22 tracks (19 previously unissued) from the Americana music pioneers/
Formed in Spartanburg, SC around 1970, Uncle Walt’s Band (David Ball, Deschamps Hood, and Walter Hyatt) established themselves in the area before relocating to Nashville (garnering a following a recording/publishing deal with Buzz Cason), and eventually Austin (per the invite of Willis Alan Ramsey who was anxious to record them.) The band played steadily around Austin in clubs including Castle Creek, Saxon Pub, and Armadillo World Headquarters—where live albums from New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Waylon Jennings, Frank Zappa/Captain Beefheart, Commander Cody, and more were recorded. (The classic cover photo of London Calling was shot there when The Clash played the venue in 1979). Armadillo was in talks with Warner Bros. Records to have an offshoot imprint for the label. One of the bands chosen to record for the pitch was Uncle Walt’s Band. According to Woody Roberts (from his book Horse Racing & Rock ’n’ Roll), “For the Warner Brothers demos, I had intended to record seven Uncle Walt’s Band songs. But the guys had been apart for months and thus had fresh ears and were sounding better than ever. No way could I possibly stop their musical reunion. We kept the eight-track Ampex rolling and recorded 20 songs!”
Actually it was 22, and that session is now available as Thought You’d Never Ask: The Complete 1975 Armadillo Records Recordings. Three of those performances appeared as bonus material on Omnivore’s 2019 expanded version of the band’s self-titled debut, but the other 19 are previously unissued. Favorites like “As The Crow Files,” “Deeper Than Love,” and “Stay With The One You Love” would be reworked for the band’s second album An American In Texas (also reissued and expanded by Omnivore Recordings) and “Whatever Reason” and “So Long Baby” would appear in different versions on their acclaimed Anthology: Those Boys From Carolina, They Sure Enough Could Sing… But Thought You’d Never Ask is the first and total look at that incredible January 16, 1975 session at Arthur Smith Studios in Charlotte, NC. Available on CD and Digital, Thought You’d Never Ask: The Complete 1975 Armadillo Records Recordings also features new liner notes from renowned journalist and producer Bill Bentley.
While the Armadillo/WB deal never materialized, its genesis helped create some of finest music these Americana Pioneers ever recorded. So, step back in time and hear David, Champ, and Walter play and sing their hearts out. There’s never been another trio like Uncle Walt’s Band. Take a listen, and you’ll agree.
Beauty In The Flesh Say Goodbye Deeper Than Love Getaway Midnight Special So Long Baby Rollin’ My Blues For The Time Sweet As Rain Sitting On Top Of The World Billy Goat Hop Stay With The One That Loves You Tuxedo Tale Rock Island Line After You’ve Gone Lonely In Love As The Crow Flies I Say To You Whatever Reason The More I See You If You’ve Got Money Your Tender Kiss
