John Hiatt Beneath This Gruff Exterior CD

"Some people call it depression and I call it a song." That simple observation from "Uncommon Connection," the rollickingly catchy opening track of songwriter/singer John Hiatt's 2003 release BENEATH THIS GRUFF EXTERIOR, sums it up quite sweetly. Hiatt's been channeling glorious depression through the muse since the early '70s. This release marks his first release with the Goners, a four-man outfit specializing in bar-soaked Southern blues-rockin' highlighted by the virtuoso slide guitar work of occasional Hiatt collaborator Sonny Landreth.

From the aforementioned opening track, GRUFF EXTERIOR is nothing if not exhilarating fun, a collection of songs seemingly shorter than the four minutes they generally run, as rife with hooks as with wry reflection. There's an endearing ease in mournfully sweet songs of unadorned rambler philosophy like "Window On The World" and "Missing Pieces" with its Dylanesque harmonica opening and lightly Zen opening lines "I spent all day staring at a leaf/I know that my time here is brief." By the final track, the country jilted-lover waltz "The Most Unoriginal Sin," it is clear Hiatt's found a nice groove in which to settle his deft, expertly crafted songwriting.

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.

Recorded at Blackbird Studios, Berry Hill, Tennessee.

Personnel: John Hiatt (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Sonny Landreth (electric guitar, slide guitar, dobro, background vocals); Bobby Keys (baritone saxophone); Kenneth Blevins (drums, background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Don Smith .

Recording information: Blackbird Studios, Berry Hill, TN.

Photographer: Michael Wilson .

Personnel: John Hiatt (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars); Sonny Landreth (electric & slide guitars, dobro, background vocals); Dave Ranson (bass); Kenneth Blevins (drums, background vocals).

Additional personnel: Bobby Keys (baritone saxophone).

Dirty Linen (8/03, p.66) - "...Hiatt still writes great songs and does a wonderful job of conveying what life is like on a journey that so many of us are also on..."