The Tiki Bar Is Open

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
For much of this album, his 16th in 26 years, Hiatt reunites with his best band, the Goners, and takes a giant leap back to his still-hungry days as a jag-edged, Costello-esque rocker while hewing to the soulful, blues-based songwriting he perfected on 1987's Bring the Family. The withering pub rock of 1979's Slug Line--as well as a nod to fallen hero Dale Earnhardt--seeps into the title track, while the roaring guitar, courtesy of the brilliant Sonny Landreth, and tight rhymes of "All the Lilacs in Ohio" suggest the streetwise edge of 1983's Riding with the King. But it's with ballads such as "Something Broken" and "Come Home to You" that Hiatt's musicianship, songwriting, and deeply soulful vocals truly convince and offer the most moving moments on this, his most memorable album in many years. --Roy Kasten

Tracks:

Everybody Went Low
Hangin' Round Here
All The Lilacs In Ohio
My Old Friend
I Know A Place
Something Broken
Rock Of Your Love
I'll Never Get Over You
The Tiki Bar Is Open
Come Home To You
Farther Stars

Amazon.com

For much of this album, his 16th in 26 years, Hiatt reunites with his best band, the Goners, and takes a giant leap back to his still-hungry days as a jag-edged, Costello-esque rocker while hewing to the soulful, blues-based songwriting he perfected on 1987's Bring the Family. The withering pub rock of 1979's Slug Line--as well as a nod to fallen hero Dale Earnhardt--seeps into the title track, while the roaring guitar, courtesy of the brilliant Sonny Landreth, and tight rhymes of "All the Lilacs in Ohio" suggest the streetwise edge of 1983's Riding with the King. But it's with ballads such as "Something Broken" and "Come Home to You" that Hiatt's musicianship, songwriting, and deeply soulful vocals truly convince and offer the most moving moments on this, his most memorable album in many years. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews:

10 of the all time best.......2007-06-30

John Hiatt is unquestionably one of the best songwriters around. Many have covered his tunes to huge commercial success (Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Healey, Buddy Guy), but none have approched the honest and real delivery that Hiatt is also gifted with. His albums are so consistently good that it is hard to actually pick one that is the best, but Tiki Bar manages to satisfy on all levels.
From the opening track "Everybody Went Low" with it's trademark Hiatt hooks to the surreal closing track "Farther Stars" everything works perfectly. Many of Hiatt's best songs ever are showcased here - "My Old Friend", "Rock of Your Love", "I Know A Place" and the album's masterpiece "All The Lilacs In Ohio". Hiatt cleverly blends blues, bluegrass, folk, and grunge and makes it all work seamlessly. The Tiki Bar Is Open - come on in and open up your mind. Thanks Mr. Hiatt - you are the man!

Typically wonderful Hiatt.......2006-08-11

Most of John's discs jump right out at me as fantastic pieces of work. There have been 2 exceptions- "Little Head" and "The Tiki Bar is Open". My first go round with these two, I thought that maybe John was missing that spark. Nope! I was. The more you listen, the more you appreciate. In my opinion, pretty much everything from 1983's "Riding with the King" til now is phenomenal. Unlike Dylan who ebbs and flows, Hiatt is consistently inspired and inspiring.

My First John Hiatt purchase..........2004-04-19

While waiting on something new from Sonny Landreth and the Goners, I decided to purchase a John Hiatt cd. I chose this one and am not disappointed. Good lyrics, music and musicians.

I love the reflective lyrics of "my old friend" and the lyrics of "all the lilacs in ohio"

I will be purchasing more of Hiatts music. It's just the right combo of blues, folk, rock and roll that I love. Heck, the 70's were my favorite era of music.

"Farther Stars" is kinda a hippy-trippy song that reminded me of the Beatles. (I miss George Harrison.)
And I thought it was their way of paying tribute to one who has offered so much to the music world we know and love today, while not losing individuality.

Bluesy rock n' roll and groovy shuffles from John Hiatt.......2003-08-01

The Goners return to accompany John Hiatt on "The Tiki Bar Is Open", 13 years after they first appeared as Hiatt's backing band on the classic "Slow Turning".

"The Tiki Bar Is Open" is filled with excellent, bluesy rock music which swings and grooves on mid-tempo songs like "Hangin' Round Here", "Rock Of Your Love", "My Old Friend" and the title track, and which rocks and rolls with a vengeance on hard rock numbers like "Everybody Went Low" and "All The Lilacs In Ohio".

A lovely, melodious ballad, "Something Broken", also finds its way onto the album, as does a really great, re-recorded version of 1993's melancholy "I'll Never Get Over You" (which is on some European versions of the album "Perfectly Good Guitar").

Louisiana axe-man Sonny Landreth plays some sizzling slide guitar, and almost everything gels.
Not every tune is equally memorable, sure, but there is plenty of great stuff here, and no need to program anything out (except perhaps the slightly odd "Farther Stars", which sounds like George Harrison being experimental.)

One of Hiatt's better albums for sure...and some 3 3/4 stars.

Holding up the tiki torch for JH.......2003-01-17

If you have never heard of John Hiatt and believe it or not a lot of people still go Who's that then do yourself a favor. John Hiatt is in this mans opinion the finest singer songwriter in the world and this is one great album. Everybody went Low is a rollicking start the chainsaw rocker about his other great love, racing minicars. Hangin round here is a fine song about learning lessons in life "just hangin round here". All the liacs in Ohio is a story weaved around a rock song about a drunken affair ,very well crafted. My old Friend is in my humble opinion the king diamond in this treasure,"My old friend, you make me feel young again. Starts with a blazing harmonica and just keeps going, roots rock at it"s finest, I know a Place is laced with searing blues licks by Sonny Landreth and John's incredible blues vocals and Kenny Blevins drums staccattos.Something Broken is a heart rendering song about a man trying to find solace in himself, but is running out of dead ends. First time I heard it I had tears streaming down my cheeks. A little too close to home. The rock of your Love is a beautiful uplifting song for his wife and the Tiki Bar is Open is a wonderful toe tapping gospel blues tune that has a nice piece for the late Dale Earnhardt. Come home to you is song about his tough childhood and the hardships that he had to endure and the wonderful life he now has with his wife and family. Somebody is going to have a hit song with I'll never get over you, since John never gets the airplay he so rightly deserves and last but not least the 60ish feel of Farther Stars. A true anthem for the 21st Century. the music is extremely well done, The Goners are back and John sounds great and the lyrics are as good as it gets. You have heard the raves, buy the cd you will be thankful you did

Inside The Tiki Bar - John Hiatt - A Conversation With John Hiatt Featuring Songs From His New CD "The Tiki Bar is Open"

Average customer rating:

Inside The Tiki Bar - John Hiatt - A Conversation With John Hiatt Featuring Songs From His New CD "The Tiki Bar is Open"

Manufacturer: Vanguard
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000SANFD6

Product Description

Inside The Tiki Bar - John Hiatt - A Conversation With John Hiatt Featuring Songs From His New CD "The Tiki Bar is Open". Producer & Interviewer: Jody Denberg. This CD contains 54 minutes of interviews and songs by John Hiat recorded on July 18, 2001 by Chuck Turner at the Rec Room in Nashville, Tn.

Average customer rating:

The Tiki Bar Is Open
John Hiatt
Manufacturer: Vivid Sound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005QCD2

Tracks:

Everybody Went Low
Hangin' Round Here
All the Lilacs in Ohio
My Old Friend
I Know a Place
Something Broken
Rock of Your Love
I'll Never Get Over You
Tiki Bar Is Open
Come Home to You
Farther Stars

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