This little record store in New Braunfels, Texas right next to Greune Hall is a wonderful Texas Icon. All of you kind people have been so wonderful in supporting them and the artists they serve. Thanks
Duncan Walters Proudly Announces Guardian
The Follow Up to His Critically Acclaimed Debut
"The Album is Awesome"
jpoet - Country / Americana Music Writer San Francisco Weekly "...one of this year's sleepers.
It's a gem of a record !"
Michael Lipton - For the Daily Mail Charleston Daily Mail "I was knocked out by it"
David McGee Country and Americana Music Editor Barnes & Noble.Com "From honky tonk, Cajun to straight up country there is one word that sums up what Walters is about: sincerity.
"
David Cowling Americana-UK.com "Occasionally there is an artist who re-establishes and re-enacts
the innocence, integrity and simple joy that sometimes seems so lost [in
country music]. Duncan Walters is one of those artists."
Doug Floyd
Altcountrytab.com
Guardian, the second album by singer/songwriter Duncan Walters, displays the same passion and impressive musicianship that made his 2003 debut, Northern Rain, a critical favorite. Walters combines elements drawn from the worlds of singer/songwriter, folk, country, Cajun and honky tonk for an undeniably modern sound that¹s built on a bedrock of tradition. Like its predecessor, Guardian was produced by Walters and tracked live in the studio with his regular Austin, Texas sidekicks: B. B. Morse (Willie Nelson, John Arthur Martinez, Merle Haggard) on stand up and electric bass, Phillip Stevens on the Telecaster and Kevin Hall and Ron Irwin on drums. Guest players included five time Grammy winner Flaco Jimenez on accordion, Tommy Spurlock (The Band, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Flying Burrito Brothers) on pedal steel and Bobby Flores (Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Doug Sahm) on fiddle and mandolin. All the players contributed their talents to the arrangements and the result is a real time, down home album. It¹s marked by Walters¹ sharp guitar work, first-rate melodies and his restrained baritone, a voice that recalls the weathered tones of Merle Haggard and Guy Clark.
The songs on Guardian retain the warmth, texture and live feel of Walters'
debut, but the new songs dig deeper into the heartache and sorrows of
everyday existence, shining a little bit of light into even life¹s darkest
corners. "Guardian of the Sky" is a slow, bluesy meditation on mortality and
aging that finds comfort in the love of children and family. Walters
delivers an aching, slightly ironic vocal complimented by Spurlock's weeping
pedal steel and the understated twang of Stevens' guitar. "Spin," the
album's most poignant love song, explores the inconsolable wound of jealousy and the insecurity and self-doubt it breeds. Walters almost whispers the distressing lyric as Stevens showers the background with shimmering fills as delicate as teardrops. "Greyhound" is an old fashion drinking song driven by Stevens' clanging guitar, bouncy Tejano meets Cajun accordion work by Flaco Jimenez and a lyric that details the hazards life in a post 9/11 world.
"Crystal White Girl" is a raucous, edgy honky tonk rocker with a snarling
vocal and abrasive guitar work that could be about a drug addled female or
maybe methamphetamine itself. "Dancing Girl" and "Standing in the Sun" are
seductive songs about love and redemption full of cryptic images that spin
subtle webs of mystery. "Talk Radio/Fly Away" has a jaunty beat and soaring
pedal steel guitar that provide a startling contrast to the song's
restrained anger. It's an anti-war song that laments the loss of innocent
life and the lies those left behind often tell themselves to get through the
day. The songs on Guardian aren't always an easy listen, but their telling
insight and innate musicality stir up the kind of profound emotions that
can't be faked. Walters may not be for everyone, but those who listen with
an open heart will discover an artist of rare compassion with an important,
affecting message.
Sorry I missed the Nawleans trip. Got a new day gig thats eatin up my time. I'll be heading back down to Texas sometime soon, maybe we can knock down a few if you'll leave my girlfriends alone.
Howdy Duncan! I stole ya off of my friend Tim Dubois friends list. He and I used to hang back in the day. You should venture out to Lickenbach... Think it would suit you.. Pleased to meet ya...Ricky The now Intergalactic Trainwreck Arkansas Traveler Troubadour
Thanks, Duncan -- I'll definitely let you know if I'm coming down. Do the same if you're out this way at any point... And tell B.B. and the guys hi for me.
Hi Duncan just wanted to let you know that you had honorable mention at my granddaughter Samantha's Bat Mitzva. They also played Crystal White Girl when I went up to light one of the Thirteen candles. I think its a new tradition, it was great. You met Samantha at the Spencer fair. Hope all is good with you. Hugs Barbara
What happens in Winfield, stays in Winfield...don't you know the rules? LOL! I told the gang you were trying to work it out--now it's expected that you do!
I listened to your music here & liked what I heard. It has that feel of a mix of western style, hey day Grand Ole Opry, & classic country with a bit of modern feel to it. Absolutely fantastic. I especially like the fact there is stand up bass in the musical arrangement... call me old fashioned, but to me you can't beat it's sound when you want a true bass sound in the music.
If we have, I don't remember...maybe it's something about our lifestyle LOL! Come out to Luckenbach tomorrow evening & join the jam if you can. Doug Davis, Bill Lewis, et al, me with my & my dobro & mando.
Friday night the 11th I'm playing steel & mando at Waterloo Icehouse on 38th with Ruby Jane. 13 years old and she'll knock your socks off with her fiddlin'.
I see on your page that you know Keith -- love that guy, wish I could play another gig with him someday. Is the Phil Stevens you mentioned a school bus driver in San Marcos? If so, he's a monster on guitar.
Keep me posted on your whereabouts, as I am looking forward to seeing you when you get back to the "old city". Thank you for the kind words; at this age, I can use all the encouragement I can get.
Just to let you and your friends know that you’re on the current show from AmericanaOK @ Radio Six International. Broadcasting out of Edinburgh, Scotland. Going out on Radio Six International to 147 countries worldwide. Reporting to both the Euro Americana Charts and the Freeform American Roots charts. Thanks for your support.
Details of music played and links to artists web sites from http://www.americanaok.com/
The show can be downloaded from iTunes or http://americanaok.libsyn.com/ and other podcast directories.
Listen on line, download, subscribe (it’s free) and stayed tuned to AmericanaOK @ Radio Six International for the best in Americana and Alt-Country.
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Kevin Hall - Drums (Hal Ketchum)
Online Now!
