John Hiatt: Master of Disaster

Herald rating: ****

Hiatt's Beneath This Gruff Exterior of two years ago with his band the Goners was a rough diamond and proved you couldn't count him out, despite some indifferent work in the previous decade.

This time out - with legendary producer Jim Dickinson, and his sons Luther and Cody of the North Mississippi Allstars on hand - Hiatt confirms that behind that gruff exterior (the rockin' and self-deprecating title-track opener) lurks a sensitive heart (When My Love Crosses Over).

Musically this conforms to no simple formulas - there's a menacing throb on the terrific and lyrically fascinating Love's Not Where We Left It, in other places there is country balladry (Old School) and low, menacing rock (Find You At Last). Hiatt's lyrics make for fascinating reading: the snapshot images on the Ain't Ever Goin' Back or the references to blues lyrics - and religion - on Cold River.

And with these deeply schooled musicians, which include keyboard player East Memphis Slim and a horn trio, he has the most supportive contexts in which to weave his stories or speak from his fractured heart.

On the evidence of his last album and this, Hiatt, who is in his early 50s, is enjoying yet another highly creative and rewarding period.

Label: New West