Record Boy Ink:
What makes one record solid and worthy of many repeated
listenings and another a failure? To Record Boy it’s just one thing: the songs.
John Hiatt is as consistent as they come regarding
writing great songs. His efforts have been covered by dozens of artists over
the years, and two that immediately leap out are Bonnie Raitt’s version of
“Thing Called Love” and the recent Eric Clapton/B.B. King collaboration on
“Riding With The King”. Hiatt has been making records since the late ‘70s, all
with at least a few top notch songs and great performances but it’s been a
while since he’s made a stellar recording from start to finish. Well, Record
Boy is knocked out by his new album, Crossing Muddy Waters (Vanguard).
Not only are the songs great, but so is the production
and the arrangements. Ably backed only by multi-string instrumentalist David
Immergluck and bassist Davey Faragher, Hiatt is in fine form from beginning to
end. This is in no way a raw, stark album. It took several listenings before it
was apparent that there are no drums on this record and that only the bass is
plugged in. Listen to “Lincoln Town” or
“Before I Go” and tell me that anyone on a trap kit could add any more energy
to those tracks!
Hiatt spins yarns about relationships with the keen eye
of a poet. On the title track the singer is stunned to be abandoned by his
lover:
She took a flat boat ‘cross the shallows
Left me in my tears to drown
She left a baby daughter
Now the river’s wide and deep and brown
She’s crossing muddy waters
On the track “God’s Golden Eyes”, Hiatt paints this
picture:
All our loved ones before us
Gave us everything we need
To cross that great river
Of every tear was ever cried
‘till we find ourselves staring in
god’s golden eyes
Hiatt is a consummate storyteller and this folksy/bluesy
collection of songs provides a great showcase for his talents. There is a
relaxed atmosphere that’s evident in the recordings, which helps make the up
tempo numbers that much more appealing and the slower tunes richer in emotion.
11 great songs, 11 great performances. Maybe you haven’t
bought many John Hiatt albums over the last 20 years but Record Boy has got to
tell ya, this is one ya gotta have.
(Click Crossing Muddy Waters if you wanna buy this CD online!)