John Hiatt -- Enmore Theatre By Amanda on March 28, 2008 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
The space where the photo should be ;-(
Hiatt setlist here.
I had three disappointments at the John Hiatt gig last night. First I was cashed up and excited and looking for t-shirts. But, no merch! Well, they had CDs of Live in Austin TX and Master of Disaster, both of which I have. Johnny, Johnny, Johnny: no t-shirts? Really? You haven't toured here for 17 years -- bring some damn shirts. Second, as soon as I turned on my camera, the battery thing flashed and died. Bugger! All that turning it on and off in the mountains did for it and I didn't even think to check. Idiot. Third, I took a pen and paper to write down the setlist which I promptly lost ... somewhere. I can't imagine how. I scored one of the official setlists (although not his personal one) after so it didn't matter too much.
So Johnny came out and immediately went into the opening riff of "Drive South." I was surprised he was solo, usually they come this far they bring a band. No complaints from me though, he got to show off his own skills which usually get lost because he's always surrounded himself with guitar heroes like Ry Cooder, Mike Ward, Sonny Landreth and so on. I don't know much about guitars, but those Gibsons sure are real pretty. He was wearing denim jeans, denim jacket and a yellow cheesecloth shirt. Some misguided people think such denim-on-denim is a fashion misstep in the '00s but it is a classic combo I also favour and glad Johnny is also holding firm.
I loved it all. Apart from the three songs from the forthcoming record, I knew every word to every song and my third row seat was close enough for that proximity-buzz. I liked the new songs and one in particular "Old Days" sounds terrific. It's about his early days touring with folk like John Lee Hooker, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Terry and Mose Allison. I did yell out for "Icy Blue Heart" which he said he would play later. Yay. Perusal of the setlist confirms he did it in exactly the same place he would have anyway but he did introduce it with "per your request" -- John Hiatt was talking to ME then so I claim it as a Moment. That song is surely in my top three favourite songs ever, it was a buzz to see it up close and live. The night lived up to my excitement, and now I transfer the excitement to waiting for the new album and the next tour.
By grant wainohu
on March 30, 2008 11:21 PM
thanks john hiatt been waiting 25 years to see you in concert ,MAGIC night .my wife and i will look back on enmore theatre march 27 08 with choice memories . wow what a show brilliant and flying solo .the best concert we have seen ever .just imagine his band backing up would of blown the house down.so if your sick of todays bubblegum music do like he says 'HITCH YOUR WAGON TO MY STAR' and enjoy.how many artists do you see come out open up their souls and deliver and give everything they have got .mans got soul bucket loads of it thanks John Hiatt grant and raina
By Richard Kenna
on April 17, 2008 8:14 AM
I think it was criminal that all the press ignored his tour, he is a singer songwriter and even guitarist par excellence and he should be compulsory listening/viewing to everyone!
By Mike
on April 30, 2008 9:34 PM
Damn.
By Brad Fullmer
on September 9, 2008 10:25 AM
Right on! Hiatt fans from Down Under - I love it! Awesome concert review BTW - VERY insightful and fun to read.
I love the 'cashed up' reference - there is no other way to be for a live show of someone you love.
Hey, last night (9-7-08) Johnny played at Red Butte Gardens - an amazing outdoor venue in Salt Lake City, Utah. It's the sixth Hiatt show I've seen since I discovered his music in 2002. He had a backing band - the 'Ageless Beauties', and it was special. I prefer him with a band, but I've seen him solo twice and it's all good. He played 'Feels Like Rain' - the first time I've ever heard it live and it was unreal! It's on me and my wife's wedding CD, 'cept she freakin' left to go piss and smoke two songs before he played it, so she heard it from afar. She was catching too good of a buzz I guess!
Anyway, freakin' brilliant show, as always from Hiatt. I never got a full setlist, but he did play a ton of classics - Smashing, Crossing Muddy, Memphis, Cry Love, Slow Turning, Drive South, Tennessee Plates, etc. Closed with Riding with the King and Have a Little Faith - first time I've seen that one with the band - he usually solos that one. Wish he would have played Icy Blue Heart - one of my faves. Hell, he's got a ton of freaking good songs.
I can imagine how cool it must have been for you long time fans to actually see someone you really dig. I love Kasey Chambers - seen her twice (Seattle, Salt Lake City - same Red Butte Garden venue). Wish she toured the U.S. more often! We're spoiled though.
I saw James McMurtry July 29 and Son Volt August 15. Those are two of my current faves. Robert Earl Keen opened for Dave Matthews last week, but we missed that one.
Peace OUT from Utah!