John Hiatt - Bring the Family

Even John Hiatt's most ardent fans weren't ready for this masterpiece to be dropped in their laps in 1987. Hiatt had spent most of the 70's and 80's playing pick-a-style, bouncing from southern country rock to Elvis Costello redux and back again. With Family, though, he pared away every bit of excess and delivered his best set of songs with the understated, impossibly tasteful backing of Nick Lowe on bass, Ry Cooder on guitar and Jim Keltner on drums. Hiatt's sober, uncompromising examination of his previously drunken life was breathtaking; producing instant classics in "Have a Little Faith in Me" and "Thing Called Love." Family remains a landmark of adult album rock. --Michael Ruby Amazon.com

Peak Hiatt

Hiatt never sounded more gut-wrenchingly 'authentic' than on this very touching work. I recall a small documentary on his that came out at about to coincide with its launch, and if the recall is accurate, I think it was none less than John Lee Hooker who confides that when he first heard Hiatt on record, he and friends thought it was a black guy. That's some testimony to the conviction Hiatt brings to his rootsy-styles singing and playing.'Have a Little Faith in Me' has recently been re-recorded by someone who is getting current airplay, a disembowelling of it's originator's intention. It is from this point of the collection of 'Family ' songs that the big end of his muse lights up; a wonderful record for all time. November 30, 2007

Great Music

This was my first John Hiatt CD. I loved it so much that I've purchased several others since. This is still my favorite. In my opinion, John Hiatt is a great singer/songwriter that doesn't get the attention he deserves. March 17, 2006

Like a rocker on a porch on a summer evening.

Bring the Family is one of the most easily likable records of the 80s, and probably the most instantly accessible of Hiatt's career. He still featurs a couple of songs off here in his live shows. The band (Hiatt, Nick Lowe on bass, Ry Cooder on guitar, and Jim Keltner on drums) would reconvene in 1992 for another overlooked gem, Little Village. Here Cooder's gentle sweeping guitar is the perfect compliment for Hiatt's "Lipstick Sunset" and "Tip of My Tongue," two of the most exquisite songs you're likely to hear. Of course the big hit is "Thing Called Love," although not until Bonnie Raitt put it out the following year.

A quintessentially American record, probably the best from one of our true masters. At the place where rock, folk, country, and blues converge to form real, authentic American music. I'm calling it a classic. October 10, 2005

Bring The Family

John is always fun and interesting no matter what he's telling you about. He puts whatever he has to say in plain language and rock & roll songs. I've heard this CD over and over again and it always sounds fresh to me. I'd recommend it to anyone. October 10, 2005

the high point in John Hiatt's career

Hiatt is in fine voice and he's backed by the amazing Ry Cooder on tasty guitar, Nick Lowe playing solid bass and last but certainly not least the incomparable Jim Keltner on drums. The band is outstanding, playing restrained and supportive, but as much a cohesive unit as any group that Hiatt's played with. The song's are interesting, mature and provide a nice variety within the soul/country/rock genre. You might be familiar with "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love" which was a hit for Bonnie Raitt but the other tunes are equally fine on a cd which maintains excellence from start to finish and rates a solid 4+ stars August 3, 2005

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