John Hiatt
John Hiatt’s popularity extends even further than you might think. Sure, simply mentioning the living legend’s name conjures a career that veers between rock and soul that stretches back nearly four full decades. But Hiatt’s singular songwriting gift has also been expressed with cover versions by everyone from Bob Dylan to Bonnie Raitt, Paula Abdul to Iggy Pop.
Hiatt (backed by the Combo) will bring his enviable canon to Poughkeepsie this Friday, November 11, when he performs at the Bardavon in a show sponsored by WDST Radio Woodstock. His daughter Lilly Hiatt will open the show.
Hiatt’s career has taken a natural-if-sometimes-jagged path through more genres than it’s possible to list here, and he has had his own version of success at each and every stop. Songs like “Angel Eyes” and “Cry Love” only scratch the surface of a very deep back catalogue; Hiatt is one of those artists where you’ll hear song after song of classic material, think to yourself that there couldn’t possibly be one more hit in his pocket, then find yourself singing along all over again. Though he’s ostensibly touring in support of his latest album (Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns, released in August), Hiatt’s show is likely to touch upon the past as well. In his voice and performance is a past that goes back further than even his own career; how many musicians can you really say that about anymore?
Hiatt, who has been nominated for Grammy Awards and received the Artist/Songwriter of the Year distinction at the 2010 Nashville Music Awards, will mix it up with the Combo at the Bardavon at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11. Tickets are $60 for Gold Circle, $45 for adults and $40 for members. For more information, visit www.bardavon.org.