John Hiatt - Slow Turning

John Hiatt was feeling strong after the success of 1987's masterstroke Bring the Family, so he rocked out a little more on the joyful, confident Slow Turning. His Louisiana quartet, the Goners, spearheaded by slide guitar innovator Sonny Landreth, made each hot tune ("Drive South," "Tennessee Plates") crack like a whip. Hiatt's rubbery soul singing, in turn, made each ballad ("Icy Blue Heart," "Is Anybody There?") tug at every available heartstring. The album became a bit of a hit factory for others, too--with Emmylou Harris, Suzy Bogguss, and Aaron Neville among the many who made Slow Turning's songs their own. This gold version of the title offers superior sound quality for a higher price than the standard-issue CD. --Michael Ruby Amazon.com

Like A "Slow Turning" Old Friend

John Hiatt's 1988 release "Slow Turning" is a hands down classic. This was my introduction to John Hiatt after I heard the uptempo rocker "Paper Thin" on the local radio station. I soon discovered that this CD was one solid set of songs that were easy to listen to all the way thru. I just happen to listen to this great album the other day on my iPod while driving back from a worksite with a group of co-workers. It had been awhile since I listened to this classic, and towards the end I remembered just how good it is.

The album kicks off with a few up-beat songs featuring great acoustic and electric guitars. John's backing band is very tight, with good production. "Icy Blue Heart" slows things down to a crawl, but what a great country-tinged ballad it is, telling the story of a couple who meet in a bar. I hadn't heard John's previous album to this, Bring the Family (1987), until recently. Many consider it his best, but I prefer Slow Turning because it rocks just a little more. The great songs just keep coming at you, and the beautiful closer "Feels Like Rain" is one of my favorite slow songs. It brings back memories of when I lived in Louisiana near New Orleans. If you listen to the song, you'll understand. If your thinkning of trying out some his music, you can't go wrong with this one.

*****Highly RECOMMENDED***** March 12, 2008

perfect classical rock

every rock fan should have a minimum one title by John Hiatt from late 80'. He was strong and romantic, therefore fantastic. May 14, 2007

John Hiatt Slow Turning

I had worn out a tape cassette of this album years ago. And after having the mopey new boy guitar strummers played by my teen son in the house just had to get another copy. Great band. Lyrics that make me laugh out loud. Songs that tell stories clearly fiction and true to real adult life situations. And did I say great band? January 6, 2007

Buy it

I have over 500 albums/CDs (I realize there are people with thousands) and this is one of the five best that I own. It is unbelievably great. December 17, 2006

A good follow-up to Hiatt's best-ever release

"Slow Turning" is Hiatt's first collaboration with Louisiana trio The Goners, which includes slide guitarist Sonny Landreth.
The arrangements are variously acoustic and electric, and several guest stars pop up: Former Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon plays his National resonator guitar, then-session vocalist Ashley Cleveland and Dennis Locorriere of Dr Hook contributes backing vocals, and the Amazing Rhythm Aces' James Hooker sits in on organ.

Highlights include the tough rockers "Paper Thin" and "Tennessee Plates", the resigned, unsentimental ballad "Icy Blue Heart", the country-rock shuffle "Sometime Other Than Now", the tender love song "Feels Like Rain", and the excellent title track.

John Hiatt's 1987 album "Bring The Family" is without question his best ever, not least because he was able to work with his dream band (Ry Cooder, Jim Keltner and Nick Lowe).
But "Slow Turning" is no throwaway either. Not everything is equally memorable, sure, but it is still among Hiatt's better albums.
3½ stars. July 30, 2003

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