His is a real gem, February 20, 2003 Reviewer:    A music fan The late lamented leader of Uncle Walt's Band (he died in the 1997 ValuJet crash in Florida) offers music from what his good friend Lyle Lovett calls "the sophisticated South." Hyatt's music veers between country, jazz, and unclassifiable offbeat acoustic rock, but this album has a nice straight classic country instrumentation, with lots of fiddle and dance rhythms. The discipline of writing pure country does wonders for Hyatt's songwriting, and I personally slightly prefer this to the "King Tears" album. Check out the very first track, co-written with Alice Randall of "XXXs and OOOs" and the Gone with the Wind parody fame. It's basicallly a straightforward honky-tonk tune, but the artistry in the lyrics will blow you away. There's a lot of pure country poetry here.

The lyrics are where its at!, November 3, 1998 Reviewer: A music fan I stumbled upon Walter looking to hear older music by David Ball. I can't seem to "type" Walter's music. My favorites seem to have a honky tonk flare to the lyrics, but the others draw me in also, even if the music is not something I would have chosen before. Walter's music can not really be pigeonholed into one genre of music. He was very talented, he will be missed. I am sorry I was not among the fortunate that did know him.

Pure Heaven, January 31, 2000 Reviewer:    Allan MacPhee (St. John, VI United States) Walter Played a brand of music that is outside of any category. King Tears is as beautiful and soulful an album as you will ever listen to. I was fortunate enough to buy this album back in 1992 and I was so impressed, I sent it to all my friends for Christmas. I saw Walter the night before the crash at my bar in Key West.He and his band had just taken their first sail on the water, and had to perform their show with a bit of sunburn. Thanks for the music, Walter and Happy Sailing.

Take me to a place................, December 7, 1999Reviewer: David Dolin (Columbia, S.C.) - This cd will transport you to another place.I saw Walter Hyatt on Austin City Limits and bought this cd the next day thinking that it couldn't possibly be as good as his performance. I was wrong.This cd has such a wonderful beauty to it. Our loss is heaven's gain!

Special, September 20, 1999 Reviewer: Bill Coady (College Station, TX United States) - Walter is truely missed by all who met him. This recording was great before his death but somehow takes on a new importance in my collection in more recent times. Well written, well produced, well played, and well sung. What more can a CD offer?

Masterful, November 11, 1998 Reviewer: A music fan The ValuJet crash that took Walter Hyatt's life was a true musical tragedy. "King Tears" showcases his ability to mix folk, jazz, country, and Texas swing into his own style of music. The songs skip along so well that you may easily miss the lyrical depth. For example, on "Outside Looking In" the narrator goes from feeling isolated being on the outside to understanding how nice it is to be on the outside too. "Aloha" is Jimmy Buffet without the kitsch. The musical accompaniment is impeccable. Matt Rollings' deceivingly simple piano fills on "Situe" are the perfect compliment. As far as the movation behind the re-release of King Tears mentioned by Ms. Winters above, from what I've read, MCA re-released it at producer Lyle Lovett's request. Thanks Lyle.

Austin Classic, great tunes,, September 24, 1998 Reviewer:    A music fan (tesuque right now) 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...

A collectors Item, December 23, 1998 Reviewer:    jgubanc@aol.com (Oakton, VA) - 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

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