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Crossing Muddy Waters
Participated by John Hiatt
Studio : Vector Recordings
by Vector Recordings
Release Date : 2010-06-24
Publisher : Vector Recordings
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
EAN : 0015707957625
UPC : 015707957625
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 58 reviews)
List Price : $9.98
Our Price : $9.89
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Product Description |
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Crossing Muddy Waters by John Hiatt This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Mychildrensstore.com's standard return policy will apply. |
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Mychildrensstore.com |
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Two and a half decades into a career that's never delivered the stardom forecast by legions of champions, John Hiatt has settled into a niche that's about as comfortable as a maturing singer-songwriter could ask for. No longer a major-label priority, Hiatt has hooked up with the stalwart folk label Vanguard for his 15th release. Crossing Muddy Waters adroitly captures Hiatt's comfort and confidence. Not so much blues as blusey, Crossing Muddy Waters features 11 new Hiatt compositions, half of which feel instantly familiar. The rambunctious "Lift Up Every Stone" sounds a little like some of Tom Waits's more accessible recent efforts, while "Take It Down" is a love-lost lament that's as heavy as a foggy evening. Crossing Muddy Waters was cut in three days and features only two accompanists--the uncommonly sympathetic Davey Faragher and David Immerglück. Just goes to show that Hiatt moves just fine when he's not dragging a lot of added weight and heavy expectations behind him. --Steven Stolder |
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She said we rolled that Camero like a cowboy's cigarette |
Although I like many kinds of music, I listen to mostly reggae/dancehall and heavy metal. You might find it a bit strange, then, that I gave this album 5 stars (unless you've seen my reviews of The Gourds' work). I think it just goes to show that if you love music, any music, you will enjoy this album. It is truly an unparalleled work of art. I like some of Hiatt's other stuff, but this acoustic album is in a class of its own.
I don't know if you'd call this album folk, blues, rock, bluegrass, or most likely, a mix off all those. All I know as I've hardly heard a more natural, grass-roots, from the heart album. It's profoundly real and authentic; not one line, not one note artificial or contrived. The songwriting is simply amazing. The lyrics and the guitar work are top-notch.
My wife's favorite song is "Lift Up Every Stone," which has an upbeat gospel sound to it. I can't decide whether the best track on the album is the sweeping, beautiful, melancholy "Crossing Muddy Waters" or the album's encore, the uplifting and rocking "Before I Go." I also like "Gone" where Hiatt sings "Gone, like my last pay check/gone, gone away/Gone like the car I wrecked/Gone, gone away/Gone, like a fifth of gin/Gone, gone away/Gone, like the shape I'm in/Gone, gone away/My baby's gone, gone away." There is a song or two so depressing that I occasionally skip them, like "Take it Down," but otherwise this album is chalk-full of amazing music.
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John Hiatt at his Best |
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John Hiatt has been on the music scene with his incredible song writing skills since the late 70's but he will always be at his best when he's playing stripped down, acoustic folk/blues/country letting his amazingly expressive voice touch you at your core. Crossing Muddy Waters IS the epitome of that kind of album. THis is a don't miss cd from Mr Hiatt. |
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Decent, but mostly overrated |
Its been a few years since this one came out. Stripped down to the bone puts the full emphasis on John's singing and the songs with mixed results. Crossing Muddy Waters is one of his best songs ever. Nothing else comes close to that description. This CD might be the start of his singing become more ragged (or should I say gritty). Its not so bad like the desstruction of Bob Dylan's voice and in concert, he still sounds pretty darn good (just saw him last month).
Overall, a few nice songs here but if you are looking at his latter day works, you can do better. Walk On, Tiki Bar and Gruff Exterior are all better. And of course, Little Head is much worse and the latest, Same Old Man is probably not quite as good either. |
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Crisp, slightly introvert acoustic album |
No drummer at all, but a lot of mandolin on John Hiatt's 16th album.
And "Crossing Muddy Waters" is not a blues record either, despite the title. It is a predominately acoustic album, just Hiatt and multi-instrumentalists Davey Farragher and David Immerglück on various stringed instruments, tambourine, harmonium and a folding chair.
And the songs are quite low-key as well; "Crossing Muddy Waters" is dominated by slow and mid-tempo folk shuffles, with just a couple of up-tempo numbers.
Many of the songs deal with lost love, but it's not a depressing record. A sober one, yes, but with lighter moments as well, including the swinging "Lincoln Town", and the gospel-imbued "Lift Up Every Stone". And there is a lot to be said for this simple approach..."Crossing Muddy Waters" was recorded in four days, and the result is an album which feels relaxed without being unfocused or sloppy, and John Hiatt sings as well or better than he ever has.
"Crossing Muddy Waters" is not A-list-songs all the way from beginning to end; there are few somewhat forgettable numbers which refuse to make much impression, on me, anyway. The first half of the album is significantly stronger than the second, which makes for a bit of an odd listen, but there is still enough here to make it worth your while is you're into John Hiatt. And enough for some 3 1/2 stars. |
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timeless |
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My boyfriend bought this CD in 2000 and it was phenomenal. We played it over and over on our first vacation together. Then we played the last track as we left our wedding reception in 2001 with flying rose petals. Just last month I was on a trip with my father and my 2 sons and I'm still playing it. My dad liked it so much, I sent him a copy to thank him for taking a trip with us. My husband and I are great Johan Hiat fans and this particular CD will always be on my top 10 list. |
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