JOHN HIATT AND THE AGELESS BEAUTIES
Friday, July 11
Atlanta Botanical Garden
404-249-6400

www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

As the album’s title implies, John Hiatt isn’t trying to reinvent either himself or the singer-songwriter/Americana wheel at this late stage of his veteran career. Rather, he’s basking in his journeyman status, as reflected by his 2008 Lifetime Achievement in Songwriting award from the Americana Music Association.

“Same Old Man” is Hiatt doing what he does best: churning out emotionally stirring, rootsy gems given additional gravitas by his flinty heartland voice. To say these sound like, well, John Hiatt songs is no cheap jab. It means he’s carved out a distinctive style, but he doesn’t rehash his old material here as much as refines it.

Wearing his producer hat, Hiatt strips the approach down to a predominantly acoustic format, spotlighting his lived-in yet authoritative voice and stirring melodies. Ballads such as the poignant “Hurt My Baby,” “Our Time” and “Let’s Give this Love a Try” amble casually along, amiably assisted by skeletal percussion and the North Mississippi Allstars’ Luther Dickinson’s stringed accompaniment.

“Same Old Man” is a low-key affair, perhaps too much so to make an impression on those who aren’t existing fans. But when he sings “all the trees look like stubble on winter’s chin” on the country-ish “Ride My Pony,” it’s clear that Hiatt continues to revel in realistic, poetic wordplay, traditionally his strong suit.

While a few rockers might have enlivened the proceedings, John Hiatt lays back and spins off effortlessly engaging melodies that never try too hard yet linger in your head like letters from an old friend. 3.5 STARS—Hal Horowitz