John Hiatt New Album "Same Old Man" Release May 27 2008

John Hiatt's may have a reputation as a 'wannabe Bruce Springsteen' but that is only for those who have never taken the time to listen to the quality of his music

The title of 'the American Elvis Costello' or ' one of America's great songwriters' is more appropriate, encapsulating his 30 year history of writing intelligent and emotional songs.

His songs have been covered by many, including Biddy Guy, Joe Cocker and Patty Griffin, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, BB King, Iggy Pop, Three Dog Night and The Neville Brothers.

Many of these were collected on Rhino Records Love Gets Strange: The Songs of John Hiatt (1993)

New West Records will release his first studio album in 4 years, 'Same Old Man' May 27 2008.

Kenneth Blevins will play on on drums, Patrick O’Hearn on bass,Luther Dickinson on guitar and mandolin and John’s daughter, Lilly Hiatt, will sing harmony on the songs “Love You Again” and “What Love Can Do.”

Image: Courtesy Epic

John Hiatt Sydney Concert March 27, 2008

The comparisons between John Hiatt and Springsteen are obvious, both singing straight from Heartland USA, both blending rock and roll with Americana.

John Hiatt, however, is a lesser known artist but no lesser a song writer or entertainer.

Despite claiming his first record contract in 1973 at the age of 21 he only came to mainstream success in 1987 with the album, Bring the Family.

Ry Cooder backed him on this album which produced an enduring hit ‘Have a Little Faith in Me’, covered by Joe Cocker, Bob Jovi, Jewel and many more. His songs have also been covered by Dylan, Buddy Guy and Bruce.

John will be in Sydney on March 27, 2008, one of the East Coast Bluesfest Sideshows

Check him out at the Enmore Theatre, Ticketek

Image: Courtesy A&M

Heartland Rock 101: Blue-Collar Blues

What do Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Bob Seger, John Cougar Mellencamp all have in common. They are identified in rock terminology as Heartland Rock.

Heartland Rock is fundamentally American music, focussed, to some degree, on blue-collar concerns, as opposed to the high brow reach of Prog or the superficiality of New Wave.

Many of it’s proponents are from the mid-west (John Mellencamp was originally into Glam but moved back to Indiana), providing a parrallel to the countrified sound of Southern Rock. While the themes of Southern rock were often booze and women Heartland Rock concerned itself with personal isolation and exclusion from the American Dream (think ‘Darkness on the Edge of Town’:Bruce Springsteen, ‘Against the Wind’: Bob Seger, ‘Small Town; John Mellencamp).

It can be difficult to pinpoint the many influences on the development of Heartland Rock: Creedence Clearwater Revival were definitely significant, as was the blue-collar tradition of Woodie Guthrie and Leadbelly. At it’s heart, though, it was straight-up rock and roll blended with a keen awareness of american country, folk and rhythmn and blues.

There are many lesser known artists who deserve mention:

The brilliant John Hiatt, who’se songs have been covered by Dr Feelgood, Bonny Raitt, Iggy Pop

Steve Earl, whose songs, while strongly country, could fit into any Springsteen album (‘Guitar Town’ or ‘Copperhead Road”)

John Cafferty, unfairly derides as a Springsteen wannabe

Los Lobos, who cover many genres but have redefined Americana based on their hispanic roots

Here is Rock Revival’s Top 10 Heartland tracks

1. I Ain’t Ever Satisfied: Steve Earle
2. Thunder Road: Bruce Springsteen
3. Have a Little Faith In Me: John Hiatt
4. Night Moves: Bob Seger
5. White Line Fever: Joe Ely
6. My Girl: John Hiatt and Loudon Wainwright
7. Pink Houses: John Cougar Mellencamp
8. Free Falling: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
9. The River: Bruce Springsteen
10. C.I.T.Y: John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band

Image: Courtesy Columbia