Beneath This Gruff Exterior

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Much to his credit, John Hiatt has never strayed very far from the bluesy garage rock roots of his Indiana childhood. That fact is raucously underscored here, a gritty collection that finds the veteran singer/songwriter co-crediting his longtime band, the Goners (guitarist Sonny Landreth, bassist Dave Ranson and Kenneth Blevins on drums) for the first time--and for good reason. While Hiatt's songwriting efforts are typically strong throughout, with gems like "Almost Fed Up With the Blues," "My Dog and Me," "My Baby Blue," and "The Most Unoriginal Sin" (originally recorded by Willie Nelson in ‘93) showcasing his tough wit and tender heart, this is decidedly a band effort from the rollicking first notes of "Uncommon Connection." Recorded live in the studio, Hiatt and the Goners evoke everything from chugging Sun Records' shuffles to swampy Delta blues, early Ry Cooder and the Band, all of it informed by the almost telepathic sense of interplay these musicians have developed over decades of touring. This is easily the most overtly rocking album of Hiatt's career, but one that hasn't sacrificed an ounce of soul for its joyous energy. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description
18th release to date from John Hiatt was recorded in just 8 days with guitarist Sonny Landreth, bassist Dave Ranson and drummer Kenneth Blevins. Digipak. New West. 2003.

Tracks:

Uncommon Connection
How Bad's The Coffee
Nagging Dark
My Baby Blue
My Dog And Me
Almost Fed Up With The Blues
Circle Back
Window On The World
Missing Pieces
Fly Back Home
The Last Time
The Most Unoriginal Sin

Amazon.com

Much to his credit, John Hiatt has never strayed very far from the bluesy garage rock roots of his Indiana childhood. That fact is raucously underscored here, a gritty collection that finds the veteran singer/songwriter co-crediting his longtime band, the Goners (guitarist Sonny Landreth, bassist Dave Ranson and Kenneth Blevins on drums) for the first time--and for good reason. While Hiatt's songwriting efforts are typically strong throughout, with gems like "Almost Fed Up With the Blues," "My Dog and Me," "My Baby Blue," and "The Most Unoriginal Sin" (originally recorded by Willie Nelson in `93) showcasing his tough wit and tender heart, this is decidedly a band effort from the rollicking first notes of "Uncommon Connection." Recorded live in the studio, Hiatt and the Goners evoke everything from chugging Sun Records' shuffles to swampy Delta blues, early Ry Cooder and the Band, all of it informed by the almost telepathic sense of interplay these musicians have developed over decades of touring. This is easily the most overtly rocking album of Hiatt's career, but one that hasn't sacrificed an ounce of soul for its joyous energy. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

18th release to date from John Hiatt was recorded in just 8 days with guitarist Sonny Landreth, bassist Dave Ranson and drummer Kenneth Blevins. Digipak. New West. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

True Confession.......2007-01-22

Here's my true confession: I'm a litterbug. I've been a JH fan for twenty years, so I was excited as always when this new release came out. Unfortunately, I was listening in the car. Threw it out the window.

GRUFF!.......2006-02-25

Great album ! Some of the best guitar licks I've heard in a long time , combined with some of Hiatt's best vocal performances (he really does have that gruff voice that sticks to your ribs!) make this one of the best recordings I have in my music collection . All of my friends who have heard this really feel the same way as I do... also has my new theme song , "Window on the World" . This recording sounds like a very tight live jam session.

Killer!.......2006-02-18

Some folks (or should I say folkies?) seem to be dyed-in-the-wool singer/songwriter aficionados who prefer their intense, socially relevant lyrics served up on a bed of flavorless musical pabulum -- all the better, I suppose, to forestall distraction from the deep nuance of the libretto. Perhaps unfairly, I picture them stubbornly dressed in the frumpiest of late `60's hippie gear, subsisting on a diet of macrobiotic rice (punctuated by guilt-laden red meat binges which account for their not having died of malnutrition long ago) and home-schooling their homely child (or children -- but never more than two, save for the occasional birth-control slip-up). These people never have forgiven Dylan for going electric.

If you are such a person, then skip to the one-star reviews and steer clear of this particular John Hiatt offering. He has done other work which is probably more to your liking (albeit that none of it actually embodies the Platonic ideal of bland musicality hinted at above).

If, on the other hand, you prefer your intense, edgy lyrics balanced by equally intense, bluesy, kick-butt rock & roll, then take this album home and cozy up for some really first-rate listening. Without meaning to disparage John's lyrics, I have to say that Sonny Landreth's nasty slide guitar was the element which catapulted me out of my chair to crank up the volume (could that be David Lindley???) and rummage around for liner notes to learn more about what I was listening to. And if the bass and drums are kind of loud, then more power to them. Neither was so heavy as to obscure any of the wry lyrics or virtuoso guitar, and the overall offering is a rich gumbo, each of whose ingredients retains its distinctive flavor, yet contributes to a whole much greater than the sum of its parts.

As for the alleged synthesizer??? Excuse me, but whoever thinks he hears synthesizer on this album needs his ears cleaned or needs professional help to deal with his hallucinations.

Great songs, great slide guitar with exciting different blues styles.......2005-09-22

The first time I caught John Hiatt & the Goners, was on PBS at 1 am on Sunday morning taped live from Chicago's Fitzgerald's club 2004 tour. I was blown away. I already own 4 of Sonny's CD's after discovering him on John's album "Slow Turning". Then last July 30th '05, I caught Sonny in concert, for the first time with the Goners at Copper Mountain, Co's "Guitar Town" blues festival. Other names that took the main stage over the 2 day weekend: Eric Johnson, Robben Ford, Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton and Buddy Guy. What I heard is indescribable. Dobro silde & finger picking technique amplified thru a Keeley compressor with 100 watt Dumble Overdrive & Marshall 50-watt head. This album reminds me alot of Sonny live with a great band backing him...this guitarist has collaborated on alot of legendary blues artists albums, but Sonny is in his own element with the Goners...five stars

Only Read This Review.......2005-08-26

I don't know what's wrong with half the people who reviewed the album on this site. The most common complaint is that the quality of the recording is awful and that the band sounds "fake" and the drums and bass are up way too loud. I disagree 100%. I think the album sounds fantastic and the mix is solid. As a more recent fan of Hiatt I was hesitant on which albums to purchase, I'm glad this was one of the few I picked up. It's got great songs and great feeling. It's a shame he doesn't play more of these songs live.

Average customer rating:

Beneath This Gruff Exterior
John Hiatt
Manufacturer: New West
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000778AYE
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Tracks:

Uncommon Connection
How Bad's the Coffee
Nagging Dark
My Baby Blue
My Dog and Me
Almost Fed Up With the Blues
Circle Back
Window on the World
Missing Pieces
Fly Back Home
Last Time
Most Unoriginal Sin

John Hiatt & the Goners: Original Two Track Demos Ep (Uncommon Connection / Missing Pieces / Almost Fed Up With The Blues)

Average customer rating:

John Hiatt & the Goners: Original Two Track Demos Ep (Uncommon Connection / Missing Pieces / Almost Fed Up With The Blues)
John Hiiatt , and The Goners
Manufacturer: New West Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000QU4AM8

Product Description

Tracks: 1. Uncommon Connection; 2. Missing Pieces; 3. Almost Fed Up With The Blues. Limited Edition Compact Disc EP by John Hiatt and the Goners.

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