Search - John Hiatt :: Live From Austin Tx (Dig)

PRETTY TERRIFIC LIVE SET BETTER HEARD THAN SEEN

o dubhthaigh | north rustico, pei, canada | 11/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Let's just say that Hiatt's live performance shows he's getting a little long in the tooth to be dancing badly to his own songs. Kinda reminds you of your neighbor who still wants to be the life of the party as his kids cringe.

So, you're better off listening to a brilliant set who makes a convincing argument for keeping red states as part of the US. Hiatt's down-home hossier-hick is steeped in sincerity, and he's a guy who has made his mistakes, paid for them and found redemption in the simple pleasures of the woman and the children he loves. Admirable, no matter how silly his dance steps.

At this point in his career, Hiatt was positively brilliant and all the songs here are his A list material, particularly "Perfectly Good Guitar" and "Buffalo River Home." The audience is with him all the way, and his back up band hits all the marks. If you are a Hiatt fan, you'll treasure this set. It will make you wish John would do this sort of thing more often. Away from the TV lights of ACL, he might even be a little less hokey."

Why isn't he a superstar?

Robert L. Flenner | Greenwich, CT | 02/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK, I have been a fan of John Hiatt now for about 20 years, ever since I read a review in "Rolling Stone" that said his album "Slow Turning" was likely to be the best album that no one would hear. I have seen him 6 times, from full band to solo acoustic efforts, and I will never give a bad review to any of his releases. He is truly one the all time greatest song writers in the rock n roll era.



That being said, let me give you my (biased)review. From the opening notes of "Icy Blue Heart" to the last reverberation of "Perfectly Good Guitar" I had a smile on my face. He is in great voice, clearly having fun with the audience and totally engaged. The song selection runs very heavily towards the new release at the time "Perfectly Good Guitar" which was an extremely strong overall release. Also, hearing some of the songs from "Slow Turning" (especially the title track) is always a treat. Heck, all the songs were strong, there really was no weak one. The energy level is incredible; his rootsy influences combined with the rock and jam sensibilities of his back up band make for an absolutely breathtaking ride through this song collection.



The only quibble I have with this album is the tone of lead guitarist Michael Ward. After hearing the albums and seeing him live with guitarists like Ry Cooder and Sonny Landreath, I expected more. The sound of michael's guitar was a little weak; the playing was excellent, it was just the tone that was a little off to me. As I said, though, that is a minor quibble. I loved this disc.



Support this man, buy his catalogue, see him live whenever you can. Honest, intelligent writers and singers seem to be an endangered species today. I mean, how can you not support an artist whose songs have been covered by Bonnie Raitt, Iggy Pop, Rosanne Cash, Eric Clapton and B.B. King among others?



Buy this one, then go out and buy "Slow Turning", "Bring the Family", Perfectly Good Guitar", 'Walk On", "The Tiki Bar is Open", "Crossing Muddy Waters", "Master of Disaster", and "Stolen Moments". Get em, put em in your player and listen to one of the true treasures in music today.







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Captures Hiatt in peak form

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 12/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've seen John Hiatt a number of times over the years from the intimate (at McCabe's in L.A. for "Bring the Family" just John and guitar/piano)to larger venues and still think that this appearence on "Austin City Limits" catches Hiatt and his band in exceptional form. Hiatt burns through a number of classic songs in this fine set. Goofy dancing? Hey you know what I could care less he's been doing his goofy dancing since I can remember and personally I kind of find it, well, endearing. Here's a guy who's not afraid of what he looks like when he's dancing. It's the music that matters.



A Hiatt tour is also only as good as the new material he's promoting since he plays a fair amount of it on each tour. Luckily the album "Perfectly Good Guitar" was an exceptional album for Hiatt with most the material ranking with his best. Featuring members of Cracker and School of Fish the band brings a nice vitality and freshness to these tracks. They don't sound the same as when Hiatt played some of them with any of his supporting bands and that's actually good--it keeps the material fresh and interesting allowing Hiatt to reinvent it even though he's basically playing the same material with roughly the same arrangements."