Mini-Review: John Hiatt

Subject: Mini-Review: John Hiatt
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 01:38 PM

This is a mini-review of a recent Austin City Limits that featured John Hiatt and Kelly Willis.

As a true lover of all forms of country music, and of all forms of John Hiatt, I found the contrast between the two performers on this show to be enlightening. Hiatt did mostly new songs from his latest release "Crossing Muddy Waters" (I may have that wrong; sorry), with acoustic guitar, bass and mandolin accompaniment. Many songs featured three part harmony. As exceptional as the songwriting was, it was the sound that these three produced that really surprised me.

I have heard Hiatt with various bands and always felt that "less is more" applied to his perfomances. This show clearly underscored that. No drummer? No need. The mandolin and guitar were all the propulsion the songs needed. The melodies and lyrics were right in their proper place, too, not lost in the mix. Truly inspiring.

The second half of the show featured Kelly Willis, an Austin singer, and her band. Kelly is a darling on the alt-country scene, having abandoned a "Nashville career" to find her true self in Austin. This was a pretty standard alt-country line-up: waif-like Kelly on vocals and acoustic, another female voice doubling on fiddle and mandolin, electric guitar, keys, bass and drums. Twice the numbers, half the impact. Everyone played and sang well, but there was nothing in her songs or performance that stood out, surprised or engaged my interest (and I like country music, remember). I just wanted to hear something that excited me as much as Hiatt had.

If anyone else has seen the show, I would like to get your opinion. If you haven't seen the show check out both halves. Don't think I'm saying that Kelly Willis isn't good. She has that Iris Dement quality in her voice and seems really sincere. Maybe I'm just being critical. Maybe, in a different mood, I'd join in the "Yeehas". But not after seeing something that I thought was truly exceptional and original.

IMHO, Bart.

Subject: RE: Mini-Review: John Hiatt
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 08:40 AM

Thanks for the review, Bart. I don't know who Kelly Willis is, but I'm a big admirer of John Hiatt. I've only heard the title tune from the new CD, but it's on my list to buy the next time I'm at the store. If it comes close to the impact of "Bring the Family" (my favorite Hiatt thus far), it'll be a winner in my book. I agree that the stripped-down approach is a good idea for someone like Hiatt whose biggest strengths are the quality of his songwriting and the honest emotion of his delivery -- although I think a lot of other performers might benefit from it also. I'll look for the Austin City Limits in rerun.

Subject: RE: Mini-Review: John Hiatt
From: greenfields
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 10:09 AM

I just saw John Hiatt at the McCarter in Princeton. Totally agree that he needs no backup. He played several guitars, keyboards--wonderful.

Subject: RE: Mini-Review: John Hiatt
From: GUEST,advocate
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 12:56 PM

I've followed John Hiatt for years and think his new release very fine.

Suggest you might want to listen to Malcom Holcom. His release is "One Hundred Lies".

Subject: RE: Mini-Review: John Hiatt
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 02:10 PM

Advocate - do you have any further information about Malcom Holcom? Label? Thanks for the info.