Uncle Lucius: Live In ’25 At Gruene Hall (Boo Clap Records) – Album Review
Reviewed by Harry Kaplan
There are a handful of storied concert halls that when performers play there, they know they’ve made it. You’ve got The Ryman, of course, Red Rocks, The Garden, and Gruene Hall. Yes, Gruene Hall in country music circles is the fulcrum of playing music. It’s been around since 1878 and has hosted Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, Loretta Lynn, Asleep At The Wheel, and too many others to mention them all.1 So to play there and release an album from this storied location is a big deal and Uncle Lucius has played there numerous times. The album cover echoes the importance of this institution because the center of the cover – in a 72 bold font is “Gruene Hall” with a white background. Uncle Lucius and Live in 25 appear bottom center in a smaller font. Nothing else has to be said and no pictures are necessary. A true motion of the utmost respect for this historic musical landmark.
Uncle Lucius chose to record Live in 25 over two nights in March, earlier this year. They are a great live band, and the energy at Gruene Hall must have been magnificent. But, could they bottle that energy on a recording? The answer, captured in these 18 tracks, is a resounding, sweat-soaked yes. From the first chord of “Pocket Full Of Misery” the electricity is off the charts. You can hear boots stomping on the old wooden floor in perfect time, a sound so thick it’s practically another instrument. When the band hits the final chorus and the crowd roars the line back at them, it’s one of those rare moments that reminds you why live albums still matter.
Names usually don’t matter too much but there is a song on this collection, “Let Me Get A Lengua Plate”, that doesn’t exactly scream top 40 hit. The old adage you can’t judge a book by it’s cover is in full swing, because this song is a complete banger. It is a Tejano masterpiece with accordion and some pretty heavy guitar licks that blend perfectly like the flavors that are in the delicacies that Kevin Galloway describes in the song in perfect dialect.
Kevin’s voice is that perfect mix of gravel and cool water. It’s a little bit Waylon, a touch of Axl Rose, and a pinch of Van Morrison. Jon Grossman’s skill on the B3 and piano are unmistakable. Joshua Dane Greco executes drum duties with the precision of a surgeon, while Drew Scherger holds down the bottom. Michael Carpenter and Doug Strahan both play electric guitar and sing backing vocals.
Sonically, the recording is impeccable. Every creak of the floorboards, every clink of longneck bottles, every off-mic shout from the beer line, it’s all captured and adds to the live experience. It’s meant to remind everyone what real Texas soul sounds like when it’s plugged in and set free under a roof that’s heard it all before. In a state full of bands chasing trends, Uncle Lucius walked back into the oldest dance hall in Texas and proved the old way is still the best way. Turn it up loud, crack a cold one, and let the wolves stay far away tonight.
Listen to Live In ’25 here
Buy Live ’25 here