John Hiatt – August 13th – Denver Botanic Gardens

Last Tuesday night, Denver Botanic Gardens played host to a true legend of the songwriting world, Mr. John Hiatt. Hiatt, who was one of the pioneers who broke down the barriers between Country, Rock, and Pop, has been producing consistently strong material since his first release way back in 1974 and he proved he can still command attention with just an acoustic guitar, a harmonica, and his voice.

After a set from Logan Ledger that blended old-school Country with Roy Orbison style Pop, Hiatt took the sparse stage with his acoustic to rousing applause as the crowd settled in, wine in hand, to soak up the songs.

As we sang along with “Real Fine Love” from 1990’s Stolen Moments, I recalled the first time I saw Hiatt perform live back in August of the same year when he opened up for Little Feat at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Upstate New York. In the 29 years that have passed Hiatt has written countless songs, performed with The North Mississippi Allstars, Levon Helm, and Lyle Lovett among others, and had songs covered by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Don Henley, and Joe Cocker. He’s a constant presence on the scene and has a well earned reputation as a songwriter’s songwriter.

Gems like “Crossing Muddy Waters,” “Seven Little Indians,” and “Perfectly Good Guitar” (which he revealed was inspired by watching Krist Novoselic’s ill fated attempt to throw his bass in the air during the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards) dotted the first half of the show as a giant thunderhead loomed above the gardens. After the threat of rain had passed with a sensational sunset, Hiatt served up “Slow Turning,” “Tennessee Plates” and, after giving Bonnie Raitt kudos for her stellar version, “Thing Called Love.”

As the night was winding down Hiatt showed off a very promising new tune with “I’m In Asheville” alongside “Drive South” and “Memphis In The Meantime” which served as the closer of the main set. After a quick break Hiatt returned to the stage and took a seat at the keyboard for a touching take on “Have A Little Faith In Me” which made me smile because while Hiatt may not sing like an angel, he’s got the balls to get up there and put it all on the line – and it works.