3. John Hiatt: Bring The Family (1987): The Script For A Perfect Album

John Hiatt is one of the rather small group of musicians, whose new albums usually are major events in my musical calendar. He's been making records for more than forty years, I joined his following back in 1985 with "Warming Up To The Ice Age" - and got completely hooked two years later when he released this gem.

The goodness begins with the band. Nick Lowe on bass, Ry Cooder on guitar and Jim Keltner on drums makes for a setup that few white guys can match; together with John himself on the occasional piano they create a sound that's tight yet light, powerful yet gentle, and that rocks and soothes depending on the setting. Listening to the clear and natural sound it's hard to believe it was recorded in 1987 - a year when most music sounded as if coming from a tin. Add to that his gravelly yet tender voice, and a set of songs that belong to the best ever assembled, and you have a keeper.

In a world that feels more superficial by the day, John Hiatt's songcraft feels like a slice of real life with all its joys and sorrows, and nowhere is the feeling as strong as on this album. The desolation of "Alone In The Dark", the rocking swagger of "Memphis In The Meantime" and "Thing Called Love", - which surely is one of his most covered songs, the sheer joy of "Thank You Girl", the tangible anguish of loss and failure of "Tip Of My Tongue" - and I haven't gotten to my favourite ones yet.

"Lipstick Sunset" is one of the most perfect weepers I have ever heard, from the heartfelt vocals to Ry Cooder's magnificent slide - it gives me goosebumps. "Have A Little Faith In Me" is one of the more effective prayers I know, without being aimed at any deity. "Stood Up" is all of six minutes of confession, a walk through a life of choices made and consequences lived through - and just when you thought it cannot get any better, he delivers the stellar "Learning How To Love You", which simply put is one of the best love songs I have ever come across. John's voice, framed by acoustic guitar and the precious backup vocals of Nick Lowe, makes for a breathtaking final.

John Hiatt put out this album after a quite rough patch in his life - dealing with his own addiction and the suicide of his wife, as well as the small problem of failing sales and a cut recording deal, and in hindsight it may perhaps be seen as a reason for the outpour of emotion in these songs - even though I didn't know these details when I was first knocked out by this album at the tender age of 22. What strikes me, even after having learned some of the background, is the amount of hope and joy in these tracks, no matter what blows life had dealt him.

All this makes for one of the best popular music recordings I know - something close to the script for a perfect album.

Spotify