Re: OT John Hiatt Amsterdam Paradiso July 12 2018
Date: February 16, 2018 23:36
Just super that John's still out there.
I had his "Slugline" LP, released in '79 I think.
He had two LPs before this but Slugline was the first of two MCA LP's
and where I first heard him.
I immediately thought him every bit as good as the really esteemed writers
breaking out at that time, like Elvis Costello, for one example.
HIS first records were amazing...
....but his acidic take on Show Biz in the title track...
about finally getting that big record deal...
already world weary and sick of the bullshit as he was launching;
Became a big fan. Had a friend who worked for his publishing company at the time,
and heard many of his earliest reel-to-reel solo publishing demos,
never released, but compiled to be played for specific producers
for specific artists, and all that....he was getting some covers early on...
as years went by:
Bob Dylan recorded a John Hiatt song.
The above seven word sentence was all I really need have written here on this post.
I was hooked; I bought everything for a dozen years after that and he
was very profliferate...
Y'all already know the once-removed Stones connection, as Ry
was part of that small crackerjack excellent band that made his
Bring The Family album.
Plus John name-checks Charlie in one of his songs.
I ended up seeing John in small L.A. clubs
at the time, with Howie Epstein, later to fill in on bass
for Tom Petty for many years until his sad death...
...and it was super great. I felt very priviliged.
I didn't know he was gonna get so big, when I saw him
at Madame Wongs, (which used to be a nightclub in Santa Monica,
a place where only a few hundred would pack the place)...
in 79 or 80....
I have also seen him very many times totally solo, and he's just magnetic and super-talented always imo.
I didn't know he would get so big in the biz,
but I felt priviliged because I knew this was a great, great songwriter,
and so did many core fans...
I saw him over a dozen times over those years, but not for a long time
and it's a pleasure to see fans here going to see him now.
Several of his tracks are among my all time favorite recorded songs...
July 12 Hiatt gig is the Anniversary of the Stones first gig!
56 years!
So when I first heard John Hiatt; and was interested in his songs,
this was the title cut. He's one of the very, very best songwriters America has to offer imo.
_____________________________________
I went to the marketplace
They said they liked my face
Better than a digital watch
You got it, we're pros and we can spot it
So I thought it was some disease
But they were all on their knees
Shakin' hands with my picture
First we sterilize it
Then we merchandise it
Everybody tries
Everybody buys it
Well that's fine
Put me on the slug line
Punch a pretty hole in my mind
Show me where to sign
And put me on the slug line
They told me how to behave
Like any other public slave
Keep a smile on the face of the consumer
Or you'll become a rumor
So I got a band of angry sons
Now we're havin' so much fun
Tearin' up the nation
Weapons out of mic stands
Bitin' on the glad hand
They still don't understand
That they were marketing a madman
And that's fine
Put me on the slug line
Punch a pretty hole in my mind
Show me where to sign
And put me on the slug-
Well that's fine
Put me on the slug line
Punch a pretty hole in my mind
Show me where to sign
And put me on the slug line
You made one mistake
You made me wait
That's fine
Put me on the slug line
Punch a pretty hole in my mind
Show me where to sign
And put me on the slug-
Well that's fine
Put me on the slug line
Couldn't lay a glove on my mind
So show me where to sign
And put me on the slug line
Songwriters: John R Hiatt
Slug Line lyrics © BMG Rights Management US, LLC
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018-02-16 23:39 by hopkins.