Robert Rex Waller Jr. - See The Big Man Cry (2023)
Robert Rex Waller Jr.
has been the lead singer and one of the songwriters for the oddly named but
critically acclaimed band, I See Hawks In L.A.
for twenty years.
MOJO magazine once named them “the finest country rock band on the planet.”
Though he is still a member of his highly regarded unit the veteran country
musician is ready to release his second solo album, See The Big Man Cry, on October 20, 2023. Waller previously recorded Fancy Free back in 2016, and
just like this new one it's loaded with cover songs.
Waller has worked with Jackson Browne, Stevie Wonder, Bernie Leadon, Chris
Hillman, Lucinda Williams, Justin Townes Earle, Tom Petty, Phoebe Bridgers,
and Dave Alvin just to name a few.
Waller is also a professor at the University of Southern California where he
teaches Writing for Visual and Performing Artists.
Like The Rolling Stones' Tattoo You and Rod Stewart’s Atlantic Crossing the new album has a split personality. The first half of the
thirteen song set are pop-rock offerings featuring superbly
recorded cover songs. The second half is pure country and includes one original
composition.
Waller's strong voice leans toward country, but its versatility won't scare away listeners
who aren't fans of the genre. His multi-octave vocal chords can effortlessly handle rock, pop, and even ballads.
The record opens with "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore." The song was a hit
for The Walker Brothers, a British Invasion band that didn't include any
brothers or anyone named Walker. The mostly forgotten, 60s outfit made a very
good hit record but it is superbly done here by Waller.
There is a nice cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Tougher Than The Rest" and a
modern reworking of Bobby Rydell's "I'll Never Dance Again" - a song also
released by Herman's Hermits. Waller also includes Bram Tchaikovsky's "Girl Of
My Dreams." He even reinterprets "Let Her Go Down," a track originally
recorded by the 70s English folk band, Steeleye Span. The
record's country covers include tunes by Charlie Louvin, Freddy Hart, and Gene
Clark. Waller's unusual choices show he possesses a wide range of influences.
The album was recorded by sidemen who have worked with industry giants for
many years. It was produced by
Carla Olson
and the players include an all-star cast of stellar - if not famous - virtuosos.
Among the musicians are two members of Waller's Hawks. John York, who
played with the late, great, Doug Sahm, and who replaced Chris Hillman in The
Byrds is onboard too. Also assisting is Benjamin Lecourt who played with The Wallflowers;
Skip Edwards (Dave Alvin and Dwight Yoakum); and Stephen McCarthy who
worked with both The Long Ryders and The Jayhawks. Excellent pedal steel work was
contributed by J.D. Walter who was once part of Hart's original group.
Every track is worth your listen. I prefer the first half but that's just me.
You are certainly free to feel otherwise.
Videos will be added here after See The Big Man Cry is released.
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