Customer Reviews

Same Old Man (Deluxe CD/DVD Combo)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

John Hiatt is the thinking mans Springsteen, he never fails to deliver. This collection as per usual, offers new delights with each listening ... he simply creates songs that wrap themselves around you and etch his lyrics on your brain as you identify with the emotions he delivers.

'Same Old Man' is a coming to terms with life, whether it be past hurt n pain caused to a loved one or just the jaunty groove of 'Thats what love can do'. John Hiatt has created another masterpiece to ease us through lifes ups and downs - its Hiatt as only Hiatt can. Listen till your ears turn cherry red !

If anyone doubted that John Hiatt has a way with words, those doubts are laid to rest on Same Old Man. As the industry reviewer notes, Hiatt's voice is front and center once again, delivering a clutch of wistful and bittersweet songs of life and enduring love.

The whole CD is mostly first-rate and a la Van Morrison's recent advice, he's keeping it simple. Hiatt has long had a talent for picking the right musicians to back him and on Same Old Man it is no different. The music seems to fit his lyrics like a delicate glove, highlighting them but never overpowering them.

My favorites here are: Old Days, which provides a nostalgic and sometimes comic trip through Hiatt's career; the rocking On With You, the swaying What Love Can Do; the catchy Cherry Red; a good mid-tempo rocker with Two Hearts; and the pleading Same Old Man. About the only song I didn't care for is Our Time, which features some great music but some of the hokiest lyrics imaginable. It has to be some kind of inside joke. John?

Some may be vacillating between buying just the CD or this CD/DVD package. My advice is almost always to buy the package, especially when the price differential is so small. That advice holds here. If you buy just the CD you will miss some great early Hiatt performances, several of which feature backing by the outstanding Sonny Landreth.

My favorites on the DVD are the exuberant Memphis In the Meantime, the bluegrass of Crossing Muddy Waters, and the rollicking Perfectly Good Guitar.

The dual CD/DVD sets are often the first to disappear from the market and many are subsequently sold at a substantial mark-up over the original price. If you like John Hiatt, you ought to eat this up. Get the combo package while its still reasonable.

I just wanted to clarify whats on the DVD.Six songs, two from each time John has performed on Austen City Limits. Which means if You own The Austen City Limits DVD your only getting 4 new songs. Maybe this signals more releases of John Hiatt from this excellent DVD series

John Hiatt's "Same Old Man" CD arrived in short order and is truly delightful. I have been a fan of his for many years and this ranks among his best work.

Hey I love John Hiatt and this stuff does not disappoint. Some great hits...took a little while to get used to compared to his latest albums but if your a John Hiatt fan (or if your not) you'll love it. The dvd was good but would rather have seen more recent stuff.

If you enjoy John's music, I am confident that you will enjoy his newest release. To me, his voice just keeps getting better. His music has progressed and this CD may be one of my favorites out of all of his. I will purchase anything that John is a part of and I must say that the samples that you can hear on-line prior to purchasing the CD do not do it justice. I planned on purchasing it no matter what & the entire song was so much better than 30 seconds of a sample. I think that John's fans will enjoy his latest creation. I have not had a chance to watch the DVD but I have seen videos of his performances and look forward to watching it someday.

John Hiatt's new album "Same Old man" is stripped down and raw and basic. The album opens with "Old Days" which just about made me fall off my chair laughing at the wit and humor which Hiatt is able to use telling his story of being the opening act for some of the blues greats in his early years . This album is similiar to other Hiatt albums in one way only ; it is different than every previous John Hiatt album . The songs are well written (as you might expect for Hiatt) and the album has sort of an "un-rehearsed" feel to it that makes it's own atmosphere , and I personally like this very much! I'm looking forward to seeing Hiatt on tour and playing these songs live !

I have read some reviews of this album which it was brought up that Hiatt's voice is "blown out" ... All that I have to say to this comment is that someone must have mistaken John Hiatt for Wayne Newton at some point in their life ! John Hiatts voice sounds like a dump truck load of rocks being unloaded (and always has ) , but I love it! FIVE STARS !!!!!

If you enjoyed Crossing Muddy Waters & Master of Disaster, this will be right up your alley. The sound is good and the writing is sound. A must have for any Hiatt fan! The bonus disc is alright, but not necessarily worth the extra cabbage paid.

You can tell he's strapped. No money, honey. Self produced at home with friends. Last time he was in London, he toured alone. No band. John Hiatt is a failure in today's marketplace. That he is also great is also true.

Hiatt is Americana personified, one of the rare beasts. His latest effort is modest in style and frankly, ambition. But I will listen to it, like I listened to all his records, no matter how erratic. He has a voice, as a writer and singer, like no other. Simple, profound, elegant.