Crickett Walters Trio
History:
The Crickett Walters trio was a lounge group from Little Rock, Arkansas. Husband multi-instrumentalist H.L. "Crickett" Walters teamed up with his wife Glo Walters to form a band with drummer Bill Oviatt. Crickett played fiddle and saxophone. He also played a custom "baby guitar". Though he called it an electric mandolin, it appeared to be a custom mando-guitar, similar to the one used by Brian Jones from The Rolling Stones.
H.L. Walters originally was a country / bluegrass fiddle player in Arkansas. His musical roots began with a tenure in Paul Howard's Cotton Pickers backing band. He played with them during the late 1940's and 1950's.
The male members dressed up in priest attire, but neither were ordained. It's unclear why they dressed that way, especially in the deep south. It's unknown why The Walters formed a trio or when. It's also unclear when they began recording music.
The trio released two records. The first was an album merely titled "The Crickett Walters Trio". I assume it was recorded and released in the late 1960's or early 1970's. The album features covers of obscurer pop and country tunes as well as top 40 hits. Glo handles most of the vocals with Crickett singing two and guest Bill Flurry singing "She's A Yum Yum".
Glo plays a groovy farfisa organ while Crickett switches between tenor sax and guitar. He also showcases his fiddle on a few tunes. Bill Oviatt played drums and tambourine. The album had to have been recorded in a studio as there are a few overdubs. Predominently featuring a 60's garage rock sound, the trio also explored jazz and country.
A single was released lifting "Don't Wanna Kiss You" and "Lover's Night" from the album. What happened to the trio after is unknown.
Review:
Crickett Walters Trio (197?, Glo Records)
Rating: 7/10
A very fun and groovy record, one of my favorites in the lounge genre. Features some great grooves with farfisa organ, bopping drumming, and some great guitar soloing. "She's A Yum Yum", "A Lover's Night (At Corona Del Mar)", and "Sunny" are the most garage rock-esque tracks and are quite catchy and good. Lots of filler but even those tracks will leave you smiling. Last three tracks are duds for me personally.