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GREATEST HITS: THE A&M YEARS
John Hiatt
(A&M)
John Hiatt's one of those musicians who never seem to be able to settle down, which may explain his relative lack of success, especially lately when compared with former bandmate Ry Cooder.
But both are critically worshipped rebels of the same stripe, average guys who enjoy drinking and toasting to old times in their pop-free music.
This CD is a collection of Hiatt's most lucrative years, starting with Bring the Family, which featured Cooder and the awesome Nick Lowe (a later attempt to recapture the same energy fizzled with the ego-ridden Little Village band).
Hiatt's most famous tune, included here with a version better than hers, is Bonnie Raitt's well-known Thing Called Love. His version, though less sexy, is more honest, and he has one of those Wild Turkey voices that makes you desperately want to hook him up with your divorcee aunt while there's still time left on the metre.
Through Your Hands, from the Stolen Moments album, is one of his finest songs, and he doesn't seem at all goofy as he sings alongside Karen Peris, who sounds like a less warbled Emmylou Harris.
Is this folk? Rock? Country? Blues, maybe? That's the one thing that may be a bit troubling about Hiatt, depending on your vintage. He has that baby boomer angst that some would call emoting, others whining, but basically he has something to say, at least. And despite some dated sounds, mostly due to his large influence among the reluctant taxpayer generation's current musical heroes, he has a finger on the human condition that can't be denied, especially if you're in the mood for what was once called "romancin'."
Track Listing
1.Memphis In The Meantime
2.Perfectly Good Guitar
3.Thing Called Love
4.Slow Turning
5.Real Fine Love
6.Through Your Hands
7.Buffalo River Home
8.Feels Like Rain
9.Tennessee Plates
10.Thank You Girl
11.Drive South
12.Lipstick Sunset
13.Child Of The Wild Blue Yonder
14.Paper Thin
15.The Rest Of The Dream
16.Have A Little Faith In Me
17.Something Wild
18.Angel Eyes (Live)
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