CD Review: John Hiatt - Same Old Man

Il titolo di una vecchia canzone di 'Steve Earle' esemplifica perfettamente la situazione: è probabile che 'John Hiatt' non sia più l'umorale 'Angry Young Man' di un tempo. Ma in quanto a capacità di scavare a fondo nei sentimenti, nulla è mutato. 'Same Old Man', ultimo album del songwriter americano, è un viaggio nella memoria di un uomo che ha dedicato la propria esistenza alla musica.

Con la voce emozionante di sempre e un bel tappeto sonoro roots-rock e blues, 'John Hiatt' alterna storie di vita on the road (Old Days), d'amore e di relazioni umane intense (Love You Again e What Love Can Do), ricordi giovanili e riflessioni sul presente (Cherry Road e Our Times). 'Same Old Man' riporta 'John Hiatt' ad alti livelli espressivi e ha il merito di far riscoprire il piacere ammaliante e la suggestione senza tempo delle ballate rock.

Per quanto riguarda il DVD, sono diverse registrazioni effettuate dal vivo in quello che sembra essere uno studio televisivo da qualche parte nel mondo.

Track Listings

Disc: 1
1. Old Days
2. Love You Again
3. On With You
4. Hurt My Baby
5. What Love Can Do
6. Ride My Pony
7. Cherry Red
8. Our Time
9. Two Hearts
10. Same Old Man
11. Let's Give This Love A Try

Disc: 2
1. Memphis In The Mean Time
2. Have A Little Faith In Me
3. Tennessee Plates
4. Perfectly Good Guitar
5. Crossing Muddy Waters
6. Cry Love

Artist: John Hiatt
Title: Same Old Man
Genre: Songwriter, Country, Rock
Release Year: 2008
Type: New release
Audio: CD

Testi di John Hiatt Official Web Site

Review:
John Hiatt's conversational lyrics sound off-the-cuff, which means they likely resulted from many hours of labor. The work was worth it, because "Same Old Man" ranks with the best music of Hiatt's 34-year recording career.
He sings about love in the opening round and love on the ropes, about food and paper cuts and "doppelganger caterwauling." "Same Old Man" is sweet but not sentimental, tuneful, honest and very, very funny.
On his first release since 2005's fine "Master of Disaster," Hiatt produced and engineered himself, and he puts his voice front and center. As always, Hiatt sings like someone straining to complete the final set of the night at the local roadhouse. The raw vocals are a perfect match for such songs as "Hurt My Baby," where pain is palpable as Hiatt delivers the chorus.
He's supported by bass, drums and Luther Dickinson, who plays guitar and mandolin and provides an ideal counterpoint to the vocals by making every note count. Hiatt's daughter, Lilly, contributes lovely harmony on two songs.
Dad delivers his droll lyrics as if they're throwaways, which makes them even better. "I'm a long shot, baby," he sings. "But they do come in." "Same Old Man" laps the field.