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If you're a Hiatt fan, you've got to have this one. John at his best.
A virtual model of consistency, Hiatt has been the author of one exceptional album after another since redefining himself on 1987's 'Bring the Family.' His sole misstep in that 20+ year span was the uncharacteristic 'Little Head.' His third studio record on New West again has him in top form. Hiatt's folksy and soulful brand of blues, country and R&B was influential in the coining of a new sub-genre "Americana." While dozens of his earlier period songs were covered by other artists, his songwriting from this century is quite possibly his best. A year older, and his voice shows it, his songwriting hasn't suffered at all.
The stroyteller in Hiatt returns beginning with the hilarious "Old Days" and carries on through 'til the final "Let's Give This Love A Try".Hiatt's production is simple and clean. John Hiatt's voice is not for everyone. The drums in particular are very "in the room". Hoarse, strained, weathered.his voice is a reflection of his life which, for me, is summed up in what is one of my favorite CD's of 2008.After 2005's "Master of Disaster" which didn't add much to my all-time favorite John Hiatt list, I was skeptical about this new release. One song in, that all went away. My favorite track here is "Hurt My Baby" which for me is one of those songs where you sit back in your chair while listening to an artist you know well and say "Oh, there you are." The voice is weathered and strained but the songs are yet another example of why John Hiatt is one of the greatest American songwriters of our time.
I heard "Love You Again" at my local grocery store and I honestly thought Kermit the Frog had a stroke and they recorded him singing a love song. I either need ear plugs or I'm shopping somewhere else if my store plays this guys music again.
I remember back in the early 80's going through the (Cut-out)section of (albums)at my local music store,if any of you are old enough to remember those.I came upon and purchased the LP Slug Line.It was my first John Hiatt record.I now have some 14 of his albums and each one is better than the other.His musical skills and experimentation continue to awe me and his writting just blows me away.The lines he comes up with are just so real and true,I ecspecially like the one about "a few less brain cells and a lot less hair". John Hiatt is like a fine wine,he just gets better with age.
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