John Hiatt
Album: Mystic Pinball
Label: New West
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.johnhiatt.com

By my reckoning, this is John Hiatt's twenty first solo studio album since 1974's "Hangin' Round The Observatory". He is, of course, one of America's finest songwriters, having won the AMA Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting in 2008. His songs have been covered by a multitude of artists including Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash and Suzy Bogguss to name but a few.

Even though he recently turned 60, John Hiatt has not shown any signs of slowing down. In fact, this album, "Mystic Pinball ", is his fourth since 2008's "Same Old Man" [the others being 2010's "The Open Road" and last year's "Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns"].

Despite such prolific output, the quality of John's music is not diminishing.Far from it, if anything he just gets better and better, as this fine album demonstrates.

"Mystic Pinball "comprises twelve Hiatt originals, on which he is backed by his regular band, The Combo, who are Doug Lancio on electric guitar, Patrick O'Hearn [bass] and Kenneth Blevins [drums and percussion]. Hiatt also contributes guitar and piano. The album was recorded in Nashville and produced by renowned producer Kevin "Caveman" Shirley and a fine job he did too. He has achieved a clear, uncluttered recording, which allows Hiatt's vocals to come to the fore.

As with all of Hiatt's recent albums, every song is cracker, there is no "filler" whatsoever. The record gets off to a great start with "We're Alright Now", which as it suggests, is an optimistic bluesy number which declares that "All those bad days are gone". "Bite Marks " which follows is a quintessential Hiatt rocker with a strong chorus and some fine guitar by Doug Lancio.

"It All Comes Back Someday" is, despite its upbeat country-rock feel, a slightly disturbing song about being haunted by bad memories. A feeling of unease continues in the eerie "Wood Chipper", whose spooky atmosphere conjures up, for me at least, the sort of atmosphere that David Lynch creates in his films.

"My Business " would have been a perfect song for Howlin'Wolf to have covered, with its pounding, sledgehammer beat. In the absence of the Wolf, John Hiatt makes a great job of it. The following track could not be more of a contrast. "I Just Don't Know What To Say" is a reflective, piano-based break up song, with some tasty slide guitar from Lancio.

So far, I have only commented on the first six songs on the album. I could wax lyrical about the remaining six but I have a better suggestion. I recommend that you go out and buy this album and find out for yourself. I am sure that you will not be disappointed.

Roll on album number twenty two !

Peter Cowley