This page is part of an opinionated overview of "alt.country" music, with record reviews by me, Joe Sixpack... Naturally, it's a work in progress, and quite incomplete, so your comments and suggestions are welcome.
This is the fourth page covering the letter "H"
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Three Faces West" (Outpost, 1971)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "...And The Cowboy Twinkies" (Reprise, 1975) (LP)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Off The Wall" (Lonestar, 1978) (LP)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Something About The Night" (Renegade, 1980)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Caught In The Act" (Misery Loves Company, 1984)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Lost Train Of Thought" (Misery Loves Company, 1992)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Loco Gringo's Lament" (Dejadisc, 1994)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Dangerous Spirits" (Philo, 1997)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Crusades Of The Restless Knights" (Philo, 1999)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Live At Cibolo Creek Country Club" (Philo, 2000)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Eternal And Lowdown" (Philo, 2001)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Growl" (Philo, 2003)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Delirium Tremolos" (Philo, 2005)
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Snake Farm" (Universal-Sustain, 2006)
(Produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard & Gurf Morlix)
Texas altie-oldtimer Ray Wylie Hubbard turns in one of his hardest, grungiest, greasiest, bluesiest albums to date, with a little production assist by Lucinda Williams' longtime collaborator Gurf Morlix, on board as the album's co-producer. The sound -- and feel -- of the record is nearly identical to Williams' recent electric work, with the same heavy, tail-dragging slide guitar and loping, world-weary, dusty-road, poetics. Although I ultimately find this style of Americana rather wearysome, I'm pretty sure that most fans of Lucinda's work will really dig this disc, while longtime Hubbard fans will be ecstatic. And a few of us on the fence about Hubbard's old stuff might find our jaws dropping to hear such a muscular sound behind him now. Worth checking out!
Ray Wylie Hubbard "A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment (Hint: There is No C)" (Bordello, 2010)
The Cornell Hurd Band - see artist discography
Walter Hyatt "Music Town" (Sugar Hill, 1993)
Walter Hyatt "King Tears" (MCA, 1995)
Walter Hyatt "Some Unfinished Business, v.1" (King Tears, 2008)
(Various Producers)
For a set of unfinished tracks, this sure is sweet. The late Walter Hyatt, a founding member of the Austin roots-outlaw scene, died in a 1996 plane crash, but fans will take comfort that a dozen years later his family has finally put out this sweet set of slinky-twangy acoustic R&B tunes, all written or cowritten by Hyatt, in a glorious mix of Memphis-style soul and mature, moving Americana. It's a great sound, ably framing Hyatt's richly layered vocals. I'm struck by the similarity of his voice to that of Ron Sexsmith -- and I'll bet that many of Sexsmith's fans will like this album as well. Definitely recommended!
James Hyland "Place I Call Home" (Records Al Pastor, 2000)
An early album by one of the members of the South Austin Jugband... A likeable, fun-enough, alt-country outing from this Austin trio and a bunch of their pals... The lowlife/white trash/slacker lyrics are a bit strained, but the music is solid enough that it smoothes the way... There's enough substance here that I don't mind the silly stuff, even a song or two I'd say are pretty darn good. Worth checking out...! (By the way, Hyland has recently resurfaced as part of the South Austin Jug Band, who are also kinda fun...!)
James Hyland & The Joint Chiefs "Celestial Navigation" (Ananaki, 2010)
(Produced by Stephen Doster)
A deliciously mellow, sweetly produced, stoner-ific acousto-country set, basically sounding like a multi-song remix of Neil Young's "Heart Of Gold," with gently chiming acoustic guitars, subtle drums, and lots of sweet, spacy pedal steel. The lyrics are kind of gauzy and carefree, which generally feels fine (although on a tune or two, it gets a bit twee...) All in all, this is a lovely record, one that's comfy and comforting... Another record that got stuck, pleasantly, in frequent rotation on the old home hi-fi... Highly recommended. (Available through James Hyland's website)
Alt.Country Albums - Letter "I"
